A Coated Particle Fuel Compact, Radioisotope Heater Unit (CPFC-RHU) is proposed, which is capable of generating thermal power in excess of 27 W. This power output is more than four times that of a Hexa-RHU, which generates only six watts of thermal power. The design of the CPFC-RHU is identical to that of the Hexa-RHU, except that the six Pt-30Rh clad fuel pellets and the POCO graphite support in the latter are replaced with single-sized, ZrC coated, 238 PuO 2 fuel particles ∼500 μm in diameter. In addition to fully retaining the helium gas generated by the radioactive decay of the fuel, the CPFC offers promise for enhanced safety. Thermal analyses of the CPFC-RHU show that while the Hexa-RHU is suitable for use in a radioisotope power system (RPS) operating at a converter hot-side temperature of 473 K, the CPFC-RHU could also be used at higher temperatures of 773 K and 973 K with a thermal efficiency >60%. Even at a 473 K converter hot-side temperature, the CPFC-RHU offers higher thermal efficiency (>90%) than the Hexa-RHU (∼75%). The CPFC-RHU final design provides constant temperature, with almost uniform radial heat flux to the converter, for enhanced performance, better integration, and higher overall efficiency of the RPS. The present CPFC-RHU fills a gap in the power needs for future space missions requiring electric power of 1–15 W, from a single RPS.


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    Titel :

    A high power, Coated Particle Fuel Compact Radioisotope Heat Unit


    Beteiligte:
    King, Jeffrey C. (Autor:in) / El-Genk, Mohamed S. (Autor:in) / El-Genk, Mohamed S. (Herausgeber:in) / Bragg, Mary J. (Herausgeber:in)

    Kongress:

    Space Technology and Applications International Forum - 2001 ; 2001 ; Albuquerque, New Mexico


    Erschienen in:

    AIP Conference Proceedings ; 552 , 1 ; 774-783


    Erscheinungsdatum :

    02.02.2001


    Format / Umfang :

    10 pages





    Medientyp :

    Aufsatz (Konferenz)


    Format :

    Elektronische Ressource


    Sprache :

    Englisch



    A High Power, Coated Particle Fuel Compact Radioisotope Heat Unit

    King, J. / El-Genk, M. S. / Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2001


    Coated Particle Fuel for Radioisotope Power Systems (RPSs) and Radioisotope Heater Units (RHUs)

    Sholtis, J. A. / Lipinski, R. J. / El-Genk, M. S. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1999


    Coated particle fuel for radioisotope power systems (RPSs) and radioisotope heater units (RHUs)

    Sholtis, Joseph A. / Lipinski, Ronald J. / El-Genk, Mohamed S. | American Institute of Physics | 1999


    Coated Particles Fuel Compact-General Purpose Heat Source for Advanced Radioisotope Power Systems

    El-Genk, M. S. / Tournier, J.-M. / Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2003


    Coated Particle Fuel for Radioisotope Power Systems and Heater Units: Status and Future Research Needs

    El-Genk, M. S. / Tournier, J.-M. / Sholtis, J. A. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2000