ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEMS REFERENCE HANDBOOK. VOLUME VI - CHEMICAL SYSTEMS

Abstract

Power systems which use chemical fuel as the energy source appear useful in a variety of spaceAPPLICATIONS, AND OFFER WEIGHT ADVANTAGES FOR DURATIONS BELOW ABOUT 100 HOURS. A discussion is presented on primary and secondary batteries, primary and regenerative fuel cells, reciprocating engines using hydrogen and oxygen bipropellant, monopropellant and bipropellant turbines and cryogenic storage of H and O. The theoretical and practical performance of the converters is reviewed, and the weight of various systems is predicted. Other factors besides power system weight may lead to the selection of a chemical system in preference to others. For example, liquid H provides an excellent heat sink for environmental control. While batteries may be approaching the limits of their capability, major advances still will be accomplished in the fuel cell and dynamic engine area. For durations of more than several hours primary system weights of 1 to 1.5 lb/hp-hr and secondary specific weights of up to 100 whr/lb appear possible by 1970. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1960
Accession Number
AD0257358

Entities

People

  • J. Chrisney
  • W.r. Menetrey

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Bipropellants
  • Cells
  • Conversion
  • Converters
  • Energy
  • Energy Conversion
  • Energy Storage
  • Engines
  • Fuel Cells
  • Heat Sinks
  • Reciprocating Engines
  • Regenerative Fuel Cells
  • Storage
  • Storage Batteries

Readers

  • Combustion science or combustion engineering.
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology