Technology Development Program for an Advanced Potassium Rankine Power Conversion System Compatible with Several Space Reactor Designs

Yoder, G L

doi:10.2172/885992

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 3 publications

(3 reference statements)

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“…A similar situation happens during steam expansion in conventional nuclear plants: the problem can be just resolved by resorting to adequate fluid dynamics design and to extraction devices, similar to those adopted in steam cycles (see, e.g. Manson, 16 Yoder et al, 17 Stanisa et al; 18 see also El-Wakil 19 (Section 13-9)).…”

Section: Topping Cycle Working Fluids: the Alkali Liquid Metalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Binary liquid metal–organic Rankine cycle for small power distributed high efficiency systems

Bombarda

Invernizzi

2014

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A:

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There is a common interest in the distributed power generation: generally for the combined production of electrical and thermal energy and often, although not necessarily, in association with renewable energies as heat sources for the prime mover. For example, in the field of distributed concentrated solar power generation of small size, the gas engine technology now seems to be prevailing (Stirling engines operating at maximum temperatures of 600-800 C, with peak net efficiencies at 20-30% and power up to several kilowatts are commonly considered). Organic Rankine engines, fed by biomass, in the power range of about 1 MW are actually a standard. From a strictly thermodynamic point of view, the binary cycle technology, accomplished by alkaline metal Rankine cycle as the topping cycle and a Rankine cycle with organic fluid as the bottoming cycle, could be an advantageous alternative. By their very nature, Rankine cycles have good thermodynamic qualities and, potentially, their thermodynamic performance, for the same maximum and minimum temperatures, could be better than that of a gas cycles. This paper discusses the possibility of adopting binary cycles with a power level in the order of tens of kilowatts. Following an overview of the characteristics of alkaline metals and a look at the possible organic fluids that can be employed in Rankine engines at high temperature (400 C), assuming a limit condensation pressure of 0.05 bar, the thermodynamic efficiency of binary cycles was evaluated and the preliminary sizing of turbines was discussed. The results (e.g. a net cycle efficiency of around 0.46, with maximum temperature of 800-850 C) appear encouraging, even though setting up the systems may be far from easy. For instance, there are difficulties due to the extremely high volumetric expansion ratios of bottoming cycles (400-600, an order of magnitude larger than those of the topping cycles with alkaline metals that we considered), which are moreover associated with a very low minimum pressure and elevated number of revolutions of the turbomachinery (50,000-200,000 r/min). Without doubt, the design tends to be easier as the power levels increase and the minimum condensation pressure for the bottoming cycle rises. Although the authors know of no activity in progress on binary cycles at present, the interesting prospects suggest the topic deserves further study and research.

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Section: Topping Cycle Working Fluids: the Alkali Liquid Metalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Binary liquid metal–organic Rankine cycle for small power distributed high efficiency systems

Bombarda

Invernizzi

2014

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A:

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“…Early developments on dynamic systems started in the 50's and focused on liquid metal cooled Rankine engines for FPS applications, under the SNAP-1, SNAP-2 and SNAP-8 programs (using mercury as working fluid) [5,24] and SNAP-50/SPUR (using potassium as working fluid) [25]. Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) were also assessed during the Dynamic Isotope Power Systems (DIPS) program (1975)(1976)(1977)(1978)(1979)(1980) to develop 1 kW-class RPSs and are currently being reconsidered in the FPS program for very high (hundreds of kWs) nuclear power generation in space.…”

Section: Dynamic Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermophotovoltaic energy in space applications: Review and future potential

Datas

Martı́

2017

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

159

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This article reviews the state of the art and historical development of thermophotovoltaic (TPV) energy conversion along with that of the main competing technologies, i.e. Stirling, Brayton, thermoelectrics, and thermionics, in the field of space power generation. Main advantages of TPV are the high efficiency, the absence of moving parts, and the fact that it directly generates DC power. The main drawbacks are the unproven reliability and the low rejection temperature, which makes necessary the use of relatively large radiators. This limits the usefulness of TPV to small/medium power applications (100 W e -class) that includes radioisotope (RTPV) and small solar thermal (STPV) generators. In this article, next generation TPV concepts are also revisited in order to explore their potential in future space power applications. Among them, multiband TPV cells are found to be the most promising in the short term because of their higher conversion efficiencies at lower emitter temperatures; thus significantly reducing the amount of rejected heat and the required radiator mass.

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System Modeling of Lunar Oxygen Production Using Fission Surface Power: Mass and Power Requirements

et al. 2009

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Technology Development Program for an Advanced Potassium Rankine Power Conversion System Compatible with Several Space Reactor Designs

Cited by 3 publications

References 3 publications

Binary liquid metal–organic Rankine cycle for small power distributed high efficiency systems

Binary liquid metal–organic Rankine cycle for small power distributed high efficiency systems

Thermophotovoltaic energy in space applications: Review and future potential

System Modeling of Lunar Oxygen Production Using Fission Surface Power: Mass and Power Requirements

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