Conceptual design of a SNAP III type generator fueled with Cerium-144 /

A design concept is presented for an electrical system using two SNAP III type generators fueled with cerium. In the modified SNAP III generator, a capsule of Haynes 25 contains 9725 curies of cerium oxide pellets, which will provide 67 thermal watts at time of launch. Sufficient void volume and capsule strength ensure containment of the oxygen evolved through isotops decay during the operational life of the generator. Thermal converter configuration in the conceptual generator is identical to that of the SNAP III except that the shell is stainless steel. Two methods of biological shielding are considered. The first uses mercury contained in a sphere surrounding the generator. In the second concept, a lead cask shields the unit until its installation in the launch vehicle. A remote installation procedure and an equipment arrangement are proposed. Generator output predictions were based on actual test data. The output of a single unit would be 3.8 watts at launch, decreasing to 1.9 watts in the course of a 6-month mission. A groundhandling procedure and conceptual designs of the equipment are included."MND-P-2369""June 1960."Published through the Information Bridge: DOE Scientific and Technical Information.Includes bibliographical references (page 45).A design concept is presented for an electrical system using two SNAP III type generators fueled with cerium. In the modified SNAP III generator, a capsule of Haynes 25 contains 9725 curies of cerium oxide pellets, which will provide 67 thermal watts at time of launch. Sufficient void volume and capsule strength ensure containment of the oxygen evolved through isotops decay during the operational life of the generator. Thermal converter configuration in the conceptual generator is identical to that of the SNAP III except that the shell is stainless steel. Two methods of biological shielding are considered. The first uses mercury contained in a sphere surrounding the generator. In the second concept, a lead cask shields the unit until its installation in the launch vehicle. A remote installation procedure and an equipment arrangement are proposed. Generator output predictions were based on actual test data. The output of a single unit would be 3.8 watts at launch, decreasing to 1.9 watts in the course of a 6-month mission. A groundhandling procedure and conceptual designs of the equipment are included.U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Contract ;Mode of access: Internet.This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The University of Florida Libraries, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law