Space Thermoacoustic Radioisotopic Power System, SpaceTRIPS: The Magnetohydrodynamic Generator

Arturs Brekis, Antoine Alemany, Olivier Alemany and Augusto Montisci
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Arturs Brekis: Institute of Physics, University of Latvia, 32 Miera, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia
Antoine Alemany: SIMAP/Domaine Universitaire, 38402 Saint Martin d’Heres, France
Olivier Alemany: Electrical and Electronic, English Department, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
Augusto Montisci: Institute of Engineering and Management, University of Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 23, 1-19

Abstract: Electricity production is a major problem for deep space exploration. The possibility of using radioisotope elements with a very long life as an energy source was investigated in the framework of an EU project “SpaceTRIPS”. For this, a two-stage system was tested, the first in which thermal energy is converted into mechanical energy by means of a thermoacoustic process, and the second where mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy by means of a magnetohydrodynamic generator (MHD). The aim of the present study is to develop an analytical model of the MHD generator. A one-dimensional model is developed and presented that allows us to evaluate the behavior of the device as regards both electromagnetic and fluid-dynamic aspects, and consequently to determine the characteristic values of efficiency and power.

Keywords: magnetohydrodynamics; MHD; liquid metals; thermoacoustics; energy converters; deep space flights (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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