Title :
SUSEE - ultra light nuclear space power using the steam cycle
Author :
Powell, James ; Maise, George ; Paniagua, John
Author_Institution :
Plus Ultra tehnologies, Inc., Shoreham, NY, USA
Abstract :
A near term, ultra lightweight nuclear space power system (SUSEE) using existing water cooled reactor/steam cycle technology is proposed. SUSEE uses an innovative new lightweight condensing radiator that can operate in zero g, with ∼1 m2/KW(e), 10 times smaller than other concepts. With standard 1000 F, 1000 psi superheated steam, 80% turbine efficiency and 2 atm condenser pressure, SUSEE has 24% thermal efficiency. SUSEE can deliver powers from a few kilowatts to multi-megawatts, with very small reactors (a 1 MW(e) reactor has 40 cm OD). SUSEE´s radiator is a flexible assembly of thin metal strips (Al or Be) with internally grooved channels for the steam/water condensate. It can be rolled into a compact launch package and unrolled in space.
Keywords :
nuclear power; nuclear power stations; space power generation; steam power stations; Al; Be; SUSEE; compact launch package; condenser pressure; internally grooved channels; lightweight condensing radiator; steam cycle; steam-water condensate; superheated steam; thermal efficiency; thin metal strips; turbine efficiency; ultra light nuclear space power; water cooled reactor; Inductors; Mars; Power systems; Space cooling; Space heating; Space technology; Strips; Temperature; Thermoelectricity; Turbines;
Conference_Titel :
Aerospace Conference, 2003. Proceedings. 2003 IEEE
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-7651-X
DOI :
10.1109/AERO.2003.1235078
