Unformatted text preview:

1 Radiator1.1 Introduction1.1.1 Design Requirements1.1.2 Scope1.2 Radiator Options1.2.1 Helium-Fed Radiator1.2.2 SNAP-21.2.3 SNAP-10A1.2.4 Liquid Droplet Radiator1.2.5 Liquid Sheet Radiator1.2.6 SAFE-4001.2.7 SP-1001.3 Concept Choice1.3.1 Litmus Tests1.3.2 Extent-to-Which TestSmall Mass and SizeControllabilityLaunchable/Accident SafeHigh Reliability/Limited Maintenance1.3.3 Choice Analysis1.3.4 Decision1.4 Radiator Design1.4.1 Constraints1.4.2 Design1.4.3 Summary of Parameters1.5 Design Analysis1.5.1 Size and Mass Analysis1.5.2 Design Comparison1.5.3 Accident analysis1.6 Future Work1.6.1 Extensions1.6.2 Transient Analysis1.7 Conclusions1.7.1 ReferencesMSR - Radiator1 Radiator1.1 IntroductionThe reactor generates excess power because of the inefficiencies in converting the core’sthermal power into electricity. The goal of the radiator group was to design a lightweightradiator that would dissipate the excess power from the MSR operating on either theLunar or Martian surface. This section will step through the process of choosing theradiator design and then present a detailed analysis of the chosen radiator. First, there is an overview of the specific requirements, based on our proposed missionand the objectives agreed upon by the entire design team. Next is an examination of thedifferent radiator concepts that the group considered, with analysis of the important facetsof each. The radiator group used decision methodology to determine the concepts that itwould use in the design; the third section breaks down this decision making process andexplains the results. Based on the conclusions of the concept analysis, the fourth sectiondescribes the design the group chose and explores its important aspects. The followingsection contains a summary of the analyses and calculations that the group performed inorder to select and verify various parameters of the design. Finally, the sixth section willdiscuss ideas for future work. 1.1.1 Design RequirementsFrom the overall MSR design goals (see Section X.X), the radiator group created a set ofmore specific requirements. These requirements pertain to how the radiator interacts withthe other systems and the environment. From the systems side, consider how the radiatorfits into the sequence of events from launch to surface operation; first, it must fit into thelaunch vehicle along with the other reactor components. This means that not only mustthere be sufficient contiguous volume, but also the weight of the radiator, when added tothe weight of the rest of the reactor, must not exceed the available launch capacity. Thisrequirement necessitates give and take between the various design groups to arrive at theoptimal parameters. Second, the radiator must be able to withstand the large g-forces andvibrations associated with launch and landing without damaging itself or neighboringcomponents. Third, the radiator must be in a configuration where it operates correctlyafter landing. Whether or not there is unpacking required after the lander positions thereactor, the radiator must be able to mate with the other systems and operate when thestartup command is given. This dictates consideration of the linkages between theradiator and the other components and its role in the reactor startup procedure.Using the same sequence of events, the design team generated the environmentalrequirements. It is likely the radiator will contact the Earth’s atmosphere when it is firstconstructed and packaged into the rocket. The design must ensure that the highatmospheric pressure (compared to its destinations) does not damage any components,and chemicals present in the air do not corrode or contaminated its surfaces. Next, during- 1 -MSR - Radiatorthe rocket’s transit from Earth to either the Moon or Mars, the radiator will experience alow-gravity environment and be subject to direct radiation from the sun. Once theradiator lands on the surface the design must take into consideration the effects of gravity,temperatures in the range of 100-400 K and material reactivity with the atmosphere andsoil. In addition, since the radiator will begin to operate, it is important to asses howoperation interacts with the planetary environment.1.1.2 ScopeWith only the design goals and constraints given above, this is still a very open designquestion. The design team tailored the scope of the radiator design to a manageable set ofdesign considerations. Here we will describe what design aspects the team specificallyinvestigated, and which merit further analysis. Integration of the radiator with the other systems is critical in the creation of an overalltenable design for the MSR. To this end, the radiator group worked closely with thepower conversion group, which in turn collaborated with the core group, to ensure thatthe three systems interfaced appropriately, and to verify that the choices made by theradiator team met the entire design team’s requirements. Communication with the othergroups was important for balancing mass and size issues, and creating a geometry thatcomplimented the rest of the system. However, since the design of the lander and all thephysical requirements of the assembly are beyond the scope of this investigation, thisgroup did not consider exact methods of attachment and construction. The environment is also a critical factor in our design since the peculiarities of theMartian and Lunar surface conditions control the effectiveness of a radiator. The designgroup brought the major environmental factors into consideration by taking into accountthe physical conditions on the Lunar and Martian surfaces, including meteorologicalconditions, temperature swings and chemical composition of the atmosphere and soil. SeeAppendix X for a detailed discussion of the Martian and Lunar environments. Inparticular, the design team evaluated the important chemical interactions that could occuron exposed surfaces. Since it is beyond the scope of this project to determine the landingsites for the reactor, in general the group used average planetary conditions when doingthese analyses.In order to gauge the efficacy of our design choices, the radiator group performedanalyses to calculate the interactions between the radiator and the other systems, as wellas interactions within the radiator system itself. Thermal


View Full Document

MIT 22 33 - Radiator

Download Radiator
Our administrator received your request to download this document. We will send you the file to your email shortly.
Loading Unlocking...
Login

Join to view Radiator and access 3M+ class-specific study document.

or
We will never post anything without your permission.
Don't have an account?
Sign Up

Join to view Radiator 2 2 and access 3M+ class-specific study document.

or

By creating an account you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use

Already a member?