Conceptual design of high power advanced low mass (HPALM) solar thermionic power system

Author

Begg, Lester L. ; Streckert, Holger S. ; Peltier, Douglas ; Watson, James

fYear

2004

fDate

29-31 July 2004

Firstpage

7

Lastpage

11

Abstract

The conceptual design of an innovative solar space power system based on thermionic conversion of heat to electricity is in progress. The system is particularly attractive for large power requirements (>20 kW). Solar energy is collected with an inflatable structure, which can be a parabolic reflector or a Fresnel lens or reflector. The solar flux is further concentrated with a secondary concentrator before entering the thermal receiver. The heat is converted to electricity directly by cylindrical inverted multicell (CIM) thermionic converters. Initial estimates of volume and mass yield a preliminary specific mass of ∼80 W/kg and a preliminary specific stowed volume of ∼40 kW/m³.

Keywords

solar absorber-convertors; space vehicle power plants; Fresnel lens; cylindrical inverted multicell thermionic converters; high power advanced low mass solar thermionic power system; parabolic reflector; reflector; solar energy; solar flux; solar space power system; thermal receiver; thermionic conversion; Computer integrated manufacturing; Energy conversion; Lenses; Optical receivers; Photovoltaic systems; Power systems; Resistance heating; Solar energy; Solar heating; Space heating;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, 2002. IECEC '02. 2002 37th Intersociety

Print_ISBN

0-7803-7296-4

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/IECEC.2002.1391964

Filename

1391964