Test and evaluation of the BUP 500 radioisotope thermoelectric generator
Abstract
A 500 watt(e) radioisotope thermoelectric generator has been built and tested. It consists of three strontium 90 heat sources, a tungsten alloy radiation shield, six thermoelectric conversion assemblies, thermal insulation, and a finned cylindrical housing. The generator was designed to produce 610 watts(e) at a heat input of 7504 watts(t), a load voltage of 28 volts dc, and an ambient temperature of 75 F. The actual power output under these conditions was 654 watts(e). It is predicted that the generator will produce at least 500 watts(e), at 28 volts dc, for approximately eight years, or three years longer than the design specification requires.
- Publication:
-
IECEC 1987; Proceedings of the Twenty-second Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference
- Pub Date:
- 1987
- Bibcode:
- 1987iece.conf.1955V
- Keywords:
-
- Electric Power Supplies;
- Radioactive Wastes;
- Thermoelectric Generators;
- Waste Utilization;
- Design Analysis;
- Fins;
- Performance Prediction;
- Performance Tests;
- Strontium 90;
- Energy Production and Conversion