Choice of coolant type (Na‐K eutectic alloy of Li) for thermionic space nuclear power systems (SNPS) has been considered from viewpoint of power required for coolant pumping. It is shown that the choice depends upon SNPS output electric power and by increasing its power to acertain level the transition from Na‐K eutectic alloy to Li is expedient. For in‐core thermionic reactor (ITR) used in SNPS with certain type of coolant the optimal specific power corresponding to SNPS maximal output electric power exists under forcing ITR specific electric power. For certain type of coolant the coolant heating in ITR corresponding to SNPS optimal output electric power exists also. The expressions for these optimal values are given.
Choice of coolant for thermionic space nuclear power systems
10th SymposiumùSpace Nuclear Power and Propulsion ; 1993 ; Albuquerque, NM, USA
AIP Conference Proceedings ; 271 , 2 ; 703-708
1993-01-15
6 pages
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
Choice of Coolant for Thermionic Nuclear Power Systems
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