APPLIED RESEARCH PROGRAM FOR BINARY RANKINE CYCLE ENERGY CONVERSION.
Abstract
The practical feasibility of binary Rankine cycle space power plants was considered and certain technical problem areas were given detailed attention. Specifically, analyses were made of both high and low temperature binary systems and compared with competitive single fluid Rankine power plants. Investigations were made into integration of the system's solar collector and waste heat radiator, the bottom cycle working fluid, and a dynamic, two fluid shaft seal. The combined collector-radiator studies considered the thermal and structural stability of the assembly and devised and developed techniques for its fabrication. The assembly consists of a stretch-formed aluminum sheet to form the collector surface with tubes joined to the back side forming a conventional fin-tube radiator. A very promising low temperature working fluid was selected and evaluated by a series of thermal screening tests followed by a 1000-hour forced convection boiling-condensing loop test. The fluid selected is the aromatic hydrocarbon, ortho-xylene. To permit mounting of the two turbines of the binary system on a common shaft, a dynamic two fluid shaft seal was designed and briefly evaluated. The design is a combination face seal and centrifugal seal with a disengagement feature to unload the face seal during dynamic operation. Severe fluid instability was encountered and while the seal showed promise, available time and funding did not permit its solution. The studies definitely showed the practical feasibility of applying the binary Rankine cycle concept to space power conversion applications and indicated that it can provide a positive improvement in system weight and performance compared to competitive systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0600320
Entities
People
- C. H. Allen
- J. G. Lenhart
- R. R. Reimer
- S. S. Carlton