Americium nuclear battery for space power applications

Y. Ronen, L. Droizman, E. Shwageraus

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The work presents simplified242mAm fueled nuclear battery concept design featuring direct fission products energy conversion and passive heat rejection. The performed calculations of power conversion efficiency under thermal and nuclear design constraints showed that 14 W/kg power density can be achieved, which corresponds to conversion efficiency of about 6%. Total power of the battery scales linearly with its surface area. 144 kW of electric power can be produced by a nuclear battery with an external radius of about 174 cm and total mass of less than 10300 kg. The mass of242m Am fuel for such a system is 3200 gram.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAmerican Nuclear Society Embedded Topical Meeting - 2005 Space Nuclear Conference
Pages38-47
Number of pages10
StatePublished - 28 Nov 2005
EventAmerican Nuclear Society Embedded Topical Meeting - 2005 Space Nuclear Conference - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: 5 Jun 20059 Jun 2005

Publication series

NameAmerican Nuclear Society Embedded Topical Meeting - 2005 Space Nuclear Conference

Conference

ConferenceAmerican Nuclear Society Embedded Topical Meeting - 2005 Space Nuclear Conference
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego, CA
Period5/06/059/06/05

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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