Design, improvement, and testing of a thermal-electrical analysis application of a multiple beta-tube AMTEC converter
Abstract
A new design AMTEC converter model was developed, and its effectiveness as a design tool was evaluated. To develop the model, requirements of the model were defined, several new design models were successively developed, and finally an optimal new design model was developed. The model was created within Sinda/Fluint, with its graphical interface, Thermal Desktop, a software package that can be used to conduct complex thermal and fluid analyses. Performance predictions were then correlated and compared with actual performance data from the Road Runner II AMTEC converter. Predicted performance results were within 10% of actual performance data for all operating conditions analyzed. This accuracy tended to increase within operating ranges that would be more likely encountered in AMTEC applications. Performance predictions and parametric design studies were then performed on a proposed new design converter model with a variety of annular condenser heights and with potassium as a working fluid to evaluate the effects of various design modifications. Results clearly indicated the effects of the converter design modifications on the converter's power and efficiency, thus simplifying the design optimization process. With the close correlation to actual data and the design information obtained from parametric studies, it was determined that the model could serve as an effective tool for the design of AMTEC converters.
Subject
AMTECalkali metal thermal-to-electric conversion
BASE
Beta-Alumina Solid Electrolyte
AMTEC converter
AMTEC converter application
AMTEC converter simulation
AMTEC thermal-electrical analysis
Citation
Pavlenko, Ilia V. (2003). Design, improvement, and testing of a thermal-electrical analysis application of a multiple beta-tube AMTEC converter. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /104.
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Spence, Cliff Alan (Texas A&M University, 2002)An AMTEC converter model was developed and its effectiveness as a design tool was evaluated. To develop the model, requirements of the model were defined, modeling equations were selected, and a methodology for model ...
-
Azimov, Ulughbek Bakhadirovich (Texas A&M University, 2001)An experimental investigation was conducted to determine the effect of test conditions and sample configuration on the AMTEC electrode/electrolyte characteristic measurements in a Sodium Exposure Test Cell (SETC). The ...
-
Pyrtle, Frank (Texas A&M University, 1999)The effect that the modeling of the wicking limitation of the capillary structure in the liquid return artery of an AMTEC PX-SB series cell has on cell performance was investigated. Preliminary evaluation of an AMTEC PX-SB ...