The Alakli Metal Thermal to Electric Converter (AMTEC) technology is extremely amenable to a modular configuration. Several modular designs have been proposed for coupling to the radioisotope general purpose heat source (GPHS). Current AMTEC cell designs, producing approximately 5 W at over 20% efficiency, can be integrated into a radioisotope heated module that provides 10–28 per 250 Wth GPHS. The mass of these modules is approximately 4 kg. The cell design used in this concept is under development. The first generation model has already been operated for one year. Smaller, higher efficiency cells are now being fabricated.
Modular radioisotope AMTEC power system
Proceedings of the tenth symposium on space nuclear power and propulsion ; 1993 ; Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA)
AIP Conference Proceedings ; 271 , 1 ; 319-324
1993-01-10
6 pages
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
SODIUM , PERFORMANCE , BRAYTON CYCLE POWER SYSTEMS , POWER SYSTEMS , WORKING FLUIDS , LIQUID METALS , RADIOISOTOPE HEAT SOURCES , DESIGN , REGENERATION , SOLID ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELLS , SPACE POWER REACTORS , HEAT STORAGE , HEAT LOSSES , COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS , POWER LOSSES , HEAT PIPE WICKS , ALUMINIUM OXIDES , THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS
Modular Radioisotope AMTEC Power System
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