Vacuum tests of the Pluto-Express (PX), multitubes, vapor anode AMTEC cells are being performed at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in Albuquerque, NM. Uncertainties associated with the different measurements performed in these tests are calculated. The uncertainty was the larger of ±1% or ±1.7 K in temperature measurements; ±1.2% in the electric power output, ±0.7% in the heat input, and ±6.5% in heat rejection. Another uncertainty associated with the measurements of the BASE tube and evaporator temperatures was due to the placement of the thermocouples (TCs) in the respective cavities. In order to quantify this uncertainty, a heat transfer model was developed, which coupled heat conduction in the TC guide tube to forced convection, due to the flow of sodium vapor, and thermal radiation to the walls of the evaporator and the BASE tube cavities. The model predictions were in good agreement with the TC readings in PX-cells, which were about 15–18 K and 4–47 K, higher, respectively, than they should be for the BASE tube and evaporator, respectively.


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    Title :

    Experimental uncertainties in vacuum tests of PX-series AMTEC cells


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Space technology and applications international forum - 1998 ; 1998 ; Albuquerque,New Mexico (USA)


    Published in:

    AIP Conference Proceedings ; 420 , 1 ; 1471-1478


    Publication date :

    1998-01-15


    Size :

    8 pages





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



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