Magazine Article

Simulating the Gradually Deteriorating Performance of an RTG

TBMG-3200

09/01/2008

Abstract
Content

Degra (now in version 3) is a computer program that simulates the performance of a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) over its lifetime. Degra is provided with a graphical user interface that is used to edit input parameters that describe the initial state of the RTG and the time-varying loads and environment to which it will be exposed. Performance is computed by modeling the flows of heat from the radioactive source and through the thermocouples, also allowing for losses, to determine the temperature drop across the thermocouples. This temperature drop is used to determine the open-circuit voltage, electrical resistance, and thermal conductance of the thermocouples. Output power can then be computed by relating the open-circuit voltage and the electrical resistance of the thermocouples to a specified time-varying load voltage.

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Citation
"Simulating the Gradually Deteriorating Performance of an RTG," Mobility Engineering, September 1, 2008.
Additional Details
Publisher
Published
Sep 1, 2008
Product Code
TBMG-3200
Content Type
Magazine Article
Language
English