The European radioisotope power systems (RPSs) for space, namely, radioisotope heater units (RHUs), radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) and Stirling generators are currently baselined to utilise americium-241 (241Am) as their radioisotope heat source. The University of Leicester is leading the design and manufacture of the radioisotope heater unit (RHU), and of the heat source that will be common to the RTG and Stirling generators. Presently, all RPSs will incorporate a cladded Pt-Rh americium-based oxide fuel, insulation layer and outer carbon-carbon aeroshells. The current technology readiness level of European RPSs provides a greater opportunity for system adaptation. The European RTG development also enables power performance scalability. This paper hypothesises that these developing RPS designs could be adapted to incorporate shorter-lived radioisotopes compared to 241Am. With smaller adaptations to current RPSs designs, this could involve incorporating an additional quantity of a shorter-lived radioisotope to the present 241Am fuel in order to compliment the benefits of a long-lived radioisotope. With a future detailed design review, there is the potential for an RPS to solely use a shorter-lived radioisotope. This paper considers the analysis and testing campaigns that would have to be undertaken to appropriately modify the present designs.
Considerations for Utilising Alternative Radioisotopes in Radioisotope Power Systems
2021-03-06
459424 byte
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Alternative Radioisotopes For Heat And Power Sources
Online Contents | 2011
|Alternative Radioisotopes for Heat and Power Sources
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2011
|Alternative Radioisotopes For Heat And Power Sources
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2011
|SAE Technical Papers | 2010
SAE Technical Papers | 2017