HIGH TEMPERATURE THERMOELECTRIC RESEARCH.
Abstract
A study is presented of the feasibility of utilizing high temperature thermoelectric generators, powered with nuclear and solar heat sources for long-lived power supplies for aerospace vehicles. A 50-watt laboratory generator, fabricated of segmented thermoelements and preliminarily tested, was subjected to sustained testing with its hot-junction 1215 C, its cold junction 570 C and in a vacuum of 10 to the -5th power to 10 to the -6th power Torr. This generator exhibited a 12.8 watt/lb performance ratio at an overall thermal efficiency of 2%. At the end of 266 hrs continuous performance, an unstable power output condition of the generator halted the test. Investigation of the causes of the unstable power output showed that the intermediate junction design temperature of the segmented n-type thermoelements used in the generator had been exceeded by about 100 C. No damage to the high temperature (850-1200 C) thermoelectric segments or junction materials was sustained. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 31, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0427285
Entities
People
- C. M. Henderson
Organizations
- Monsanto