空间核电源热电转换技术研究综述

Review on thermoelectric conversion technology for space nuclear power

空间热电转换技术是空间核电源的关键技术之一,发电功率覆盖瓦级至兆瓦级,可满足各类航天任务对空间电源的需求,因此发展空间热电转换技术至关重要。从基本原理、国内外应用情况等方面梳理包括热电偶转换、热离子转换、碱金属转换、磁流体转换、热光伏转换、朗肯循环、斯特林循环和布雷顿循环在内的各种空间核电源热电转换技术研究进展,总结各种热电转换技术空间应用的技术难点,分析热电转换技术实现长寿命、免维护基本要求的研发方向,针对不同空间核电源的功率需求,提出热电转换技术主导方案。当空间核电源功率需求小于100 kWe时,建议采用热电偶转换或热离子转换等静态热电转换技术;当功率需求超过100 kWe时,应采用布雷顿循环等动态热电转换技术。

Space thermoelectric conversion technology is one of the key technologies of space nuclear power.The conversion system covers watt level to megawatt level,which can meet the requirements of space power supply for various space missions.Therefore,it is crucial to develop the space thermoelectric conversion technology.In this paper,The basic principles and domestic and overseas research progress at home and abroad of the thermoelectric conversion technology for space nuclear power were presented,including thermocouple,thermionics,alkali metal thermal to electric converter(AMTEC),magnetohydrodynamic,thermophotovoltaic,Rankine cycle,Stirling cycle and Brayton cycle.The technical difficulties in space application of various thermoelectric conversion technologies were summarized.Meanwhile,the development direction of thermoelectric conversion technology to realize the basic requirements of long-life and maintenance-free was proposed.Finally,according to the power requirements of different space nuclear power,a leading scheme of thermoelectric conversion technology was put forward.When the power requirement of space nuclear power is less than 100 kWe,it is recommended to use static thermoelectric conversion technologies such as thermocouple conversion and thermionic conversion is recommended.When the power requirement exceeds 100 kWe,dynamic thermoelectric conversion technologies such as the Brayton cycle should be used.