3 ms·
The advantage does appear to be higher efficiency compared to themocouples, and the TVP should in theory require less cooling relative to the input due to the h
by tomxor 5y ago
The advantage does appear to be higher efficiency compared to themocouples, and the TVP should in theory require less cooling relative to the input due to the higher efficiency - However the disadvantage is that TVPs generally require a far higher operating temperature for effective power production, which may actually require more sophisticated cooling.
This particular one requires around 2000C, which appears to be above the critical temperature of most RTGs (though not all!):
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Critical-temperatures-to-consider-in-RTG-and-RHU-designs_fig4_337902676 https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Critical-temperatures-to...
I wonder if those RTGs also have any disadvantages or are simply more substantial.
[edit]
Corrected cooling requirements as pointed out by the8472 in another comment.
- mannykannot 5y agoThe temperature will rise until either the rate of loss of heat balances the rate of its generation, or the container loses structural integrity. I wondered whether 'critical temperature' meant a temperature above which the junction fails to generate an EMF - which would not be an issue here, even if this were the case, as we know this material works at 2000C - but the article seems to use the term to mean certain temperatures that have engineering relevance, with regard to the design of the device, as opposed to fundamental physical limits to feasibility.
- jvanderbot 5y agoTo be clear, wouldn't, say, the atmosphere of Titan provide ample cooling opportunity? Heat distribution is, itself, a feature of RTGs, where planet-side things are usually very, very cold.