Numeric Calculate And Testing Simulation Of The AMTEC's Performance

The Alkali Metal Thermal to Electricity Converter (AMTEC) is a very new technology which being researched in the world. This technology uses alkali metal (such as lithium, potassium and sodium) as the working fluid, BASE(β"-A1₂O₃ solid electrolyte)as the medium. This technology is based on the unique properties of BASE that is an excellent ionic conductor but a poor electron conductor.There is more and more attention on the AMTEC, in America, Japan and Soviet Union countries, this technology has obtained some development. America plans to use this technology in spaceflight. Although our country is preliminary in the AMTEC technology, the correlative technology research has good foundation in our country. There are manufacturers and research schools can produce the solid electrolyte and other material. We can carry through and extend this technology so long as we can corporate with these manufacturers and schools.Because this technology is not mature, there is no correlative systemic theory and unitary efficiency expressions, the research of the countries is also primary. The attempts are to research the components model of AMTEC and the experiment research.This paper is based on the research project "the thermal to electricity directly technology" of our workgroup, the adoptive theoretic method and test equipment are based on the existing condition. Because this research work is advanced relatively, especially in our country, there is no correlative base theory datum to use for reference and assimilation, on the other hand, there are so many uncertain factor involved in this technology, there is no integer theoretic model and base theory. The author of this paper collected and analyzed the correlative material, made the experiment of the actual model, deduce a series conclusion, the paper is based on this.This paper involved these content: (1) The performance of BASE and the effect of on the AMTEC;BASE is the most essential component in the AMTEC, the circulate of the AMTEC is also based on the particular conduct characteristic of the BASE. This work analyzed the micro-machinery of the BASE and how to make the BASE be good ion conductor; investigated the factors which affect the conduct characteristic of the BASE, explained the change of the BASE when the AMTEC working, explained the thermal stability of the BASE.(2 ) The performance of the electrode and the effect of it on the AMTEC;The performance of the electrode is the most essential component except the BASE which influence the performance of the AMTEC. This work analyzed the factors which affect the performance of the electrode theoretically and experimentally, synthesized the exist research, put forward how to make electrode to fit the AMTEC, based on the exist formula, analyzed the change rule of the power and efficiency of the AMTEC.(3 ) The capillary performance and the effect of it on the AMTEC;The capillarity of material is one of the essential condition which complete the circulation of the working liquid. This work analyzed the capillarity of material and how to make capillary wick.(4) The numeric model, design and experiment performance of the AMTEC's components;This work use the exist component theory model for reference, put forward the component theory model to meet the actual demand, and proved the correctness of the model, in the latter study, we will bring forward the most compatible theory model.This work designed the current collector ondenser evaporator conceptually in addition, analyzed the performance of these components.