sanman
Sep18-09, 12:37 AM
Here's an interesting technology I came across:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkali-metal_thermal_to_electric_converter
So, from this I take it that a means of high-power conversion of nuclear thermal energy to electricity could be achieved. It says it only works upto 1400C, but that seems fine enough for conversion of nuclear thermal energy.
The nice thing is that it's thermally regenerative, which will facilitate continuous operation over long periods. It seems like it would be a nice way to allow nuclear-electric propulsion for spacecraft.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkali-metal_thermal_to_electric_converter
So, from this I take it that a means of high-power conversion of nuclear thermal energy to electricity could be achieved. It says it only works upto 1400C, but that seems fine enough for conversion of nuclear thermal energy.
The nice thing is that it's thermally regenerative, which will facilitate continuous operation over long periods. It seems like it would be a nice way to allow nuclear-electric propulsion for spacecraft.