Value of Energy Storage in Pulsed Space Power Systems,
Abstract
Due to the pulsed nature of burst power demands in spacebased SDI applications, energy storage can be used to effect reductions in overall power system mass and reduce area requirements for radiators. Incorporation of energy storage allows subsystems (i.e., radiator, power conversion cycle, etc.) to be sized for orbital average duty. Without storage these systems must be sized to meet peak demands. The value of energy storage was judged primarily by comparing the mass of power systems (or subsystems) with and without a storage component. The assessment of thermal energy storage (TES), using a packed bed of encapsulated LiH shapes, coupled with a radiator, indicated that TES is beneficial for generation times of up to 1700 s. Mass savings increase with decreasing total generation time a heavier radiator. They are maximized when the TES unit operating mode allows heat rejection and storage to take place during sprint operation. Radiator area reductions are larger than the mass savings and accrue even when the storage component represents a mass penalty. Regenerable electrical storage (RES) and TES were examined in conjunction with nuclear Rankine, solar Brayton and Rankine, and thermionic concepts. Flywheels, fuel cells and batteries were found to be the RES technologies applicable to the storage mission.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA191311
Entities
People
- D. G. Morris
- M. Olszewski
Organizations
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory