Heat Transfer Design and Proof Tests of a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator

Abstract

The object was to design, build, and test the heat rejection portions of a large 2-kw(e) radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG). The design was optimized to produce the lowest practicable temperatures at the cold junction of a large number of thermoelectric heat-to-electricity conversion elements. The geometry was largely defined by the size, shape, and required number of thermoelectric elements and by their deployment at the upper end of a large pressure-resistant hull. The work showed the capability of the 12-finned convectors to maintain a temperature below 90F, at the inner face of the convectors both when the unit was vertical and when tilted 60 degrees from the vertical. The solid copper showed no signs of corrosion; the potential corrosion problem is discussed in some detail in the report, as are related problems of flow, protection, and possible fouling from marine growth.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1974
Accession Number
ADA002218

Entities

People

  • Earl J. Beck

Organizations

  • Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Analog Computers
  • Chemistry
  • Convection
  • Deep Oceans
  • Drops
  • Electricity
  • Elements
  • Engineering
  • Generators
  • Geometry
  • Heat Pipes
  • Heat Transfer
  • Materials
  • Physical Properties
  • Plastic Explosives
  • Surface Temperature
  • Thermal Conductivity

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Solar Photovoltaics and Thermoelectric Devices.
  • Underwater engineering and Marine Technology.