The Effect of Operating Temperature on Open, Multimegawatt Space Power Systems
Abstract
In this study, we have addressed reactor-powered and combustion-powered multimegawatt, burst-mode, space power systems to evaluate the effect turbine inlet temperature will have on their performance and mass. Both systems will provide power to space-based antiballistic missile weapons that require hydrogen for cooling, and both use this hydrogen coolant as a working fluid or as a fuel for power generation. The quantity of hydrogen needed for weapon cooling increases as the weapon's cooling load increases and as weapon coolant outlet temperature decreases. Also, the hydrogen needed by the turbines in both power systems increases as turbine inlet temperature decreases. When weapon cooling loads are above 40% to 50% of weapon power and weapon coolant outlet temperature is below 300 K to 400 K, the weapon needs more hydrogen than the turbine in either the reactor- or combustion-powered systems using turbine inlet temperatures at or below the limits of current materials. There is therefore very little system mass reduction to be gained by operating a burst-mode power system at a turbine inlet temperature above present material temperature limits unless the weapon's cooling load is below 40% to 50% or coolant outlet temperature is above 300 K to 400 K. Furthermore, the combustion system's mass increases as turbine inlet temperature increases because oxygen inventory increases.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA335136
Entities
People
- Michael W. Edenburn
Organizations
- Sandia National Laboratories