Radioisotope Power Systems for the European Space Nuclear Power Program

Ambrosi, Richard M.; Watkinson, E. Jane; Barco, Alessandra; Mesalam, Ramy; Crawford, Tony; Bicknell, Christopher; Williams, Hannah; Perkinson, M. C.; Burgess, Chris; Gibson, Stephen; Stroud, C. W.; Godfrey, Alexander; Merrifield, J. A.; Kramer, Daniel P.; Barklay, Chadwick D.; Stephenson, Keith; Reece, Michael J.; Simpson, Kevin; Tuley, Richard; Tinsley, Tim; Sarsfield, Mark J.

doi:10.1109/aero.2019.8742245

Cited by 7 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 13 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Therefore, numerous space missions have exploited the decay energy of plutonium-238 for heat or electricity production using radioisotope heater units (RHUs) and radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs). − However, 238 Pu is very expensive to produce and suffers from shortages . For this reason, the European Space Agency (ESA) is exploring the possibility of using americium-241 instead of 238 Pu for future space missions. − To be introduced in a RHU or RTG, americium has to be present in the form of a stable ceramic . For this purpose, the use of pure americium oxide does not seem appropriate due to phase instabilities. − Therefore, alternative americium compounds are being investigated, for example, americium aluminate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plutonium and Americium Aluminate Perovskites

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Both AmAlO3 and PuAlO3 perovskites have been synthesized and characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and 27Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MAS NMR). AmAlO3 perovskite showed a rhombohedral configuration (space group R3̅c) in agreement with previous studies. The effect of americium α-decay on this material has been followed by XRD and 27Al MAS NMR analyses. In a first step, a progressive increase in the level of disorder in the crystalline phase was detected, associated with a significant crystallographic swelling of the material. In a second step, the crystalline AmAlO3 perovskite was progressively converted into amorphous AmAlO3, with a total amorphization occurring after 8 months and 2 × 1018 α-decays/g. For the first time, PuAlO3 perovskite was synthesized with an orthorhombic configuration (space group Imma), showing an interesting parallel to CeAlO3 and PrAlO3 lanthanide analogues. High-temperature XRD was performed and showed a Imma → R3̅c phase transition occurring between 473 and 573 K. The thermal behavior of R3̅c PuAlO3 was followed from 573 to 1273 K, and extrapolation of the data suggests that cubic plutonium perovskite should become stable at around 1850 K (R3̅c → Pm3̅m transition).

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plutonium and Americium Aluminate Perovskites

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This shift from 238 Pu to 241 Am is part of the European Space Agency (ESA) program since 2009 to develop new types of TEGs compatible with the power output of 241 Am. 8 Due to the radioactive nature of the isotopes used in RTGs, it is essential to shield electronic components from radiation, especially gamma radiation. This protection is accomplished by employing materials such as Pt, Rh, and Pt-Rh based alloys,…”

Section: The Radioisotope Heat Source (Rhs)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In contrast, the European space program opted for americium-241 ( 241 Am) instead of plutonium-238 ( 238 Pu) due to concerns about the latter's scarcity and price. [7][8][9] The design of RTGs requires careful consideration of various factors, including preventing device degradation during extended service missions, 10 minimizing the total weight of the devices, 11 and using segmented TEGs to optimize output power and ensure proper operation under specific circumstances. [12][13][14] Furthermore, a critical aspect of RTG design is the accommodation of the TE materials for energy generation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermoelectric materials for space explorations

Palaporn,

Tanusilp,

Sun

et al. 2024

Mater. Adv.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…18 The European Space Agency (ESA) funded in 2009 a programme aiming to produce in Europe all the building blocks of a radioisotope power systems, developing radioisotope heater units (RHU) and RTG based on 241 Am as heat source. 32 The configurations of the 241 Am-based heating and thermoelectric units have been designed to achieve a 3 W th output for a 200 g RHU and an electrical power output of about 10 W e for a 10 Kg RTG. 7 The European capabilities in powering space programmes by RPS have been recently further implemented by investigating the behaviour of the fuel systems in various accident scenarios.…”

Section: Static Conversion Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nuclear batteries: Current context and near‐term expectations

Terranova

2022

Intl J of Energy Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Summary The batteries fuelled by radio‐isotopes have represented a significant technological solution for planetary science and exploration missions since the beginning of the space era. Now emerging researches and new concepts are making the nuclear batteries attractive also for relevant terrestrial applications. The present survey aims to summarize the evolution of technical programmes and to examine the multidisciplinary skills required to accelerate the transition of nuclear batteries from laboratory prototypes to fully functional systems.

show abstract

Radioisotope Power Systems for the European Space Nuclear Power Program

Cited by 7 publications

References 13 publications

Plutonium and Americium Aluminate Perovskites

Plutonium and Americium Aluminate Perovskites

Thermoelectric materials for space explorations

Nuclear batteries: Current context and near‐term expectations

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About