Dynamic Energy Conversion: Vital Technology for Space Nuclear Power
Publication: Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 26, Issue 2
Abstract
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Glenn Research Center (GRC) has an extensive history in dynamic energy conversion dating back to the early 1960s. This legacy puts the GRC at the forefront of nuclear power systems using thermodynamic power cycles such as Stirling and Brayton. The advantages of dynamic energy conversion include high efficiency, long life, and scalability to high power. These attributes make Brayton and Stirling power cycles an ideal solution for nuclear energy conversion.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
Alexander, D. (1997). “2 kWe solar dynamic ground test demonstration project.” CR-198423, NASA, Cleveland.
Ashcroft, J., and Eshelman, C. (2007). “Summary of NR Program Prometheus efforts.” Proc., Space Technology and Applications Int. Forum, American Institute of Physics, Melville, NY, 497–521.
Birchenough, A., and Hervol, D. S. (2007). “Operational results from a high power alternator test bed.” Proc., Space Technology and Applications Int. Forum, American Institute of Physics, Melville, NY.
Brown, T. (1987). “Space power demonstrator engine—Phase I final report.” CR-179555, NASA, Cleveland.
Chan, J., Wood, J. G., and Schreiber, J. G. (2007). “Development of Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator for space exploration.” Proc., Space Technology and Applications Int. Forum, American Institute of Physics, Melville, NY.
Coombs, M. G., Morse, C. J., and Richard, C. E. (1970). “Nuclear Brayton cycle heat exchanger and duct assembly.” AiResearch 70-6691, NASA, Cleveland.
Davis, J. E. (1972). “Design and fabrication of the Brayton rotating unit.” CR-1870, NASA, Washington, DC.
Dhar, M. (1999). “Stirling Space Engine Program, volume 1 final report.” CR-1999-209164/VOL1, NASA, Cleveland.
Dobler, F. X., et al. (1978). “Analysis, design, fabrication and testing of the mini-Brayton rotating unit (mini-BRU).” CR-159441 (AiResearch 31-2935-2), NASA, Cleveland.
Dochet, G. (1993). “SPDE/SPRE final summary report.” CR–187086, NASA, Washington, DC.
Dunn, J. H. (1976). “Inspection of two Brayton rotating units after extensive endurance testing.” TM-X-73569, NASA, Cleveland.
Ernst, W. D., and Shaltens, R. K. (1997). “Automotive Stirling engine development project.” CR-190780, NASA, Cleveland.
Evans, R. C., and Meyer, S. J. (1970). “Electrical performance of a 2- to 10-kilowatt Brayton rotating unit.” TM-X-2062, NASA, Cleveland.
Fuller, R. L. (2009). “Closed Brayton cycle power conversion unit for fission surface power.” CR-2009-215673, NASA, Cleveland.
Gabb, T. P., Gayda, J., and Garg, A. (2007). “Creep property characterization of potential Brayton cycle impeller and duct materials.” Proc., Space Technology and Applications Int. Forum, American Institute of Physics, Melville, NY.
Harper, A. (1979). “Study of reactor Brayton power systems for nuclear electric spacecraft.” Rep. 31-3321, AiResearch Manufacturing Company, Phoenix.
Hervol, D. S., et al. (2004). “Experimental investigations from the operation of a 2 kw Brayton power conversion unit and a xenon ion thruster.” TM-2004-212960, NASA, Cleveland.
Hervol, D. S., Briggs, M., Owen, A. K., and Lavelle, T. A. (2009). “Experimental and analytical performance of a dual Brayton power conversion system.” TM-2009-215511, NASA, Cleveland.
Howard, S. A., et al. (2007). “Gas foil bearing technology advancements for closed Brayton cycle turbines.” TM-2007-214470, NASA, Cleveland.
Johnson, P. K., and Hervol, D. S. (2006). “Experimental validation of a closed Brayton cycle system transient simulation.” CR-2006-214239, NASA, Cleveland.
Johnson, P. K., and Mason, L. S. (2006). “Performance and operational characteristics for a dual Brayton space power system with common gas inventory.” TM-2006-214393, NASA, Cleveland.
Jones, D. (1989). “Space power free-piston Stirling engine scaling study.” CR-182218, NASA, Cleveland.
Killackey, J. J., Graves, R., and Mosinskis, G. (1978). “Design and fabrication of the mini-Brayton recuperator (MBR).” CR-159429, NASA, Cleveland.
Klassen, H. A., et al. (1970). “Mechanical performance of a 2- to 10-kilowatt Brayton rotating unit.” TM-X-2043, NASA, Cleveland.
Lewandowski, E. J. (2012). “Testing of the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator Engineering Unit at NASA Glenn Research Center.” 2012-4253, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Reston, VA.
Locci, E., et al. (2007). “High temperature stability of dissimilar metal joints in fission surface power systems.” Proc., Space Technology and Applications Int. Forum, American Institute of Physics, Melville, NY.
Ludwiczak, D. R., et al. (2005). “Verification of a 2 kWe closed-Brayton-cycle power system system mechanical dynamics model.” Proc., Space Technology and Applications Int. Forum, American Institute of Physics, Melville, NY.
Mason, L. S. (2003). “A power conversion concept for the Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter.” TM-2003-212596, NASA, Cleveland.
Mason, L. S. (2006a). “A comparison of fission power system options for lunar and Mars surface applications.” TM-2006-214120, NASA, Cleveland.
Mason, L. S. (2006b). “A practical approach to starting fission surface power development.” TM-2006-214366, NASA, Cleveland.
Mason, L. S., et al. (1992). “SP–100 reactor with Brayton conversion for lunar surface applications.” TM-105637, NASA, Cleveland.
Mason, L. S., Bloomfield, H. S., and Hainley, D. C. (1989). “SP–100 power system conceptual design for lunar base applications.” TM-102090, NASA, Cleveland.
McCormick, J. E. (1978). “Brayton isotope power system phase 1 final report.” Rep. 31–2919, AiResearch Manufacturing Company, Phoenix.
Morse, C. J., Richard, C. E., and Duncan, J. D. (1971). “Brayton heat exchanger unit development program.” CR-120816 (AiReSearch 71-1450), NASA, Cleveland.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). (1993). “Solar dynamic power system development for Space Station Freedom.” RP-1310, Staff of the Solar Dynamic Power Systems Branch, NASA, Cleveland.
Qiu, S. (2002). “Developing a free-piston Stirling convertor for advanced radioisotope space power systems.” Proc., Space Technology and Applications Int. Forum—STAIF 2002, American Institute of Physics, Melville, NY.
Schreiber, J. G. (2006a). “Status of the NASA Stirling radioisotope project.” Proc., Int. Stirling Forum (ISF 2006), ISF, Osnabruck, Germany.
Schreiber, J. G. (2006b). “Summary of Stirling convertor testing at the NASA Glenn Research Center.” TM-2006-214429, NASA, Cleveland.
Shaltens, R. K., and Mason, L. S. (1999). “800 hours of operational experience from a 2 kwe solar dynamic system.” TM-1999-208840, NASA, Cleveland.
Shaltens, R. K., and Schreiber, J. G. (1990). “Preliminary designs for 25 kWe advanced Stirling conversion systems for dish electric applications.” TM-103188, NASA, Cleveland.
Slaby, G. (1987). “Overview of free-piston Stirling engine technology for space power application.” TM-88886, NASA, Cleveland.
Thur, G. M. (1968). “SNAP-8 power conversion system assessment.” TM-X-52464, NASA, Cleveland.
Vernon, R. W., and Miller, T. J. (1970). “Experimental performance of a 2–15 kilowatt Brayton power system using a mixture of helium and xenon.” TM-X-52936, NASA, Cleveland.
Voss, S. S. (1984). “Snap reactor overview.” TN-84-14, Air Force Weapons Laboratory, Albuquerque, NM.
Wong, W. A. (2004). “Advanced radioisotope power conversion technology research and development.” TM-2004-213352, NASA, Cleveland.
Wong, W. A., Wilson, K., Smith, E., and Collins, J. (2012). “Pathfinding the flight advanced Stirling convertor design with the ASC-E3.” 2012-4251, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Reston, VA.
Wood, J. G., et al. (2007). “Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC) phase III progress update.” Proc., Space Technology and Applications Int. Forum, American Institute of Physics, Melville, NY.
Zagarola, M. V., and Dolan, F. X. (2006). “A turbo-Brayton power system for radioisotope conversion. Final Report.” Rep. NASA Contract NAS3-03120, NASA, Cleveland.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 26 • Issue 2 • April 2013
Pages: 352 - 360
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 1, 2012
Accepted: Dec 6, 2012
Published online: Mar 15, 2013
Published in print: Apr 1, 2013
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.