Thermoelectric Energy Conversion with Solid Electrolytes
- Creators
- Cole, Terry
Abstract
The alkali metal thermoelectric converter (AMTEC) is a device for the direct conversion of heat to electrical energy. The sodium ion conductor beta"- alumina is used to form a high-temperature regenerative concentration cell for elemental sodium. An AMTEC of mature design should have an efficiency of 20 to 40 percent, a power density of 0.5 kilowatt per kilogram or more, no moving parts, low maintenance requirements, high durability, and efficiency independent of size. It should be usable with high-temperature combustion, nuclear, or solar heat sources. Experiments have demonstrated the feasibility of the AMTEC and confirmed the theoretical analysis of the device. A wide range of applications from aerospace power to utility power plants appears possible.
Additional Information
© 1983 American Association for the Advancement of Science. The research described in this article was carried out in part by Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 54520
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20150209-085707936
- NASA/JPL/Caltech
- Created
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2015-02-09Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2021-11-10Created from EPrint's last_modified field