100-WATT CURIUM-242 FUELED THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR-CONCEPTUAL DESIGN SNAP Subtask 5.7 Final Report

摘要

A thermoelectric generator which produces 100 watts of electrical power continuously over a six-month operational life in a space environment has been designed. It employs the heat produced by the decay of Curium-242 as the source of power.nThe principal design parameter considered was the method by which neutron shielding for safe ground handling was accomplished. Of three configurations analyzed, the one recommended for ultimate use employs a borated water shield which is divided between the internal volume of the generator and the region external to the generator. This results in a design which is optimized for minimum overall weight.