Conceptual design of Americium nuclear battery for space power applications

Y. Ronen; M. Kurtzhand; L. Droizman; E. Shwageraus

doi:10.2514/1.25837

Conceptual design of Americium nuclear battery for space power applications

Y. Ronen, M. Kurtzhand, L. Droizman, E. Shwageraus

Unit of Nuclear Engineering

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

This work presents simplified ^242mAm-fueled nuclear battery concept design featuring direct fission products energy conversion and passive heat rejection. Optimization of the battery operating characteristics and dimensions was performed. The calculations of power conversion efficiency under thermal and nuclear design constraints showed that 5.6 W_e/kg power density can be achieved, which corresponds to conversion efficiency of about 4%. A system with about 190 cm outer radius translates into 17.8 MT mass per 100 kW_e. Total power scales linearly with the outer surface area of the battery through which the residual heat is rejected. Tradeoffs between the battery lifetime, mass, dimensions, power rating, and conversion efficiency are presented and discussed. The battery can be used in a wide variety of interplanetary missions with power requirements in the kW to MW range.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	874-880
Number of pages	7
Journal	Journal of Propulsion and Power
Volume	23
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2514/1.25837
State	Published - 1 Jan 2007

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Aerospace Engineering
Fuel Technology
Mechanical Engineering
Space and Planetary Science

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Conceptual design of Americium nuclear battery for space power applications

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