Balance of plant options for the heatpipe bimodal system

Abstract

The Heat pipe Power System (HPS) is a near-term, low-cost space fission power system with the potential for various balance of plant options. The following options have been studied: a low power thermoelectric design (14kWe output), a small Brayton Cycle system (60–75kWe), and a large Brayton Cycle system (250kWe). These systems were analyzed on a preliminary basis, including mass, volume and structure calculations. This analysis has shown that the HPS system can provide power outputs between 10–250kWe with specific powers of ∼14 W/kg for a 14kWe model to ∼100W/kg for a 250kWe model. The system designs considered in this study utilize a common component base to permit easy expansion and development. © 1998 American Institute of Physics.