Development, evaluation, and design applications of an AMTEC converter model

Abstract

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 development was established. The model was created within Thermal Desktop, a software package that can be used to conduct complex thermal and fluid analyses. Performance predictions were then calibrated with actual performance data from two different AMTEC converters. Predicted performance results were within 10% of the actual performance data for both converters at 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 multiple tube converter design to evaluate the effects of various design modifications. Results clearly indicated the effects of the 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.