Micro-scale liquid metal evaporator/vapor generator designs for earth and space power applications

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

A heat exchanger concept is developed that extracts energy from liquid lithium reactor coolant to evaporate potassium used in a Rankine power cycle. The heat exchanger is based on flow channels with hydraulic diameters of order 100 microns, which evokes some physical flow characteristics not common to heat exchangers with conventional dimensions. Liquid metal superheat prior to incipience of boiling is explored and the potential for bulk liquid flow temperatures in excess of saturation is explained. Design methods to stabilize evaporator flow and to completely avoid liquid entrainment in the evaporator by limiting vapor velocity and liquid film Reynolds number are also developed.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAmerican Nuclear Society Embedded Topical Meeting - 2005 Space Nuclear Conference
Pages178-187
Number of pages10
StatePublished - 2005
Externally publishedYes
EventAmerican Nuclear Society Embedded Topical Meeting - 2005 Space Nuclear Conference - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: Jun 5 2005Jun 9 2005

Publication series

NameAmerican Nuclear Society Embedded Topical Meeting - 2005 Space Nuclear Conference

Conference

ConferenceAmerican Nuclear Society Embedded Topical Meeting - 2005 Space Nuclear Conference
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego, CA
Period06/5/0506/9/05

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