Closed cycle MHD power generation system driven by nuclear reactor for space exploration
For deep space explorations, we have to develop high-efficiency, high-reliability and high-performance electric power generation system. In this paper, a closed cycle magnetohydrodynamic (CCMHD) power generation system directly driven by a nuclear fission reactor (NFR) was proposed and investigated. Output electric power level is multi-MWe. Particularly, influence of the number of compressor stages, the regenerator efficiency and the radiator temperature on total plant efficiency and on specific mass (kg/kWe) was analyzed. Proposed system was expected to provide over 55% of total plant efficiency with the radiator temperature of 300 K. The estimated specific mass was about 2/spl sim/3 (kg/kWe) for 2 MWe output and 1/spl sim/2 (kg/kWe) for output power over 3 MWe level.
Estimation of Specific Mass for Multimegawatt NEP Systems Based on Vapor Core Reactors with MHD Power Conversion
Very low specific‐mass power generation in space is possible using Vapor Core Reactors with Magnetohydrodynamic (VCR/MHD) generator. These advanced reactors at the conceptual design level have potential for the generation of tens to hundreds of megawatts of power in space with specific mass of about 1 kg/kWe. Power for nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) is possible with almost direct power conditioning and coupling of the VCR/MHD power output to the VASIMR engine, MPD, and a whole host of electric thrusters. The VCR/MHD based NEP system is designed to power space transportation systems that dramatically reduce the mission time for human exploration of the entire solar system or for aggressive long‐term robotic missions. There are more than 40 years of experience in the evaluation of the scientific and technical feasibility of gas and vapor core reactor concepts. The proposed VCR is based on the concept of a cavity reactor made critical through the use of a reflector such as beryllium or beryllium oxide. Va...
Investigations of dielectric gratings using electrodynamic models based on volume integral equations
Eigenmodes of planar and cylindrical dielectric gratings (DGs) and electromagnetic wave scattering from multiplayer DGs are investigated. The DG characteristics are calculated using numerical-analytical solution of integral equations (IEs).