The Alkali Metal Thermoelectric Converter (AMTEC) Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG)

An integration study was performed coupling an AMTEC converter to a General-Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) brick. The application was for a modular design that could operate in space, on the Moon, and on Mars. System modeling was performed and trade studies and analysis were conducted to determine the optimum design point. After selecting a design point, detailed design and design drawings were completed.

This study resulted in selecting a hot leg temperature of 1200 K and a condensing temperature of 575 K. The system consisted of a single AMTEC converter coupled to a single GPHS brick. The system produces 55.0 We at 0.63 Vdc and net efficiency is 25.3%. The heat source mass is 1.9 kg, and the AMTEC converter mass is 1.03 kg, for a total system mass of 2.93 kg and a system specific power of 18.8 W_e/kg.