Russian scientists have proposed a hybrid power plant for a base on the moon
Scientists at Moscow State Technical University named after Bauman have proposed a hybrid power plant for a base on the moon,
Scientists from the Moscow State Technical University named after Bauman and the All-Russian Research Institute of Aviation Materials (VIAM, part of the Kurchatov Institute) proposed using a hybrid unit as a power plant for the lunar base, consisting of a nuclear plant and an energy conversion system according to the Stirling cycle.
“Regardless of the purpose and scenario of the mission, a reliable source of energy is needed for the successful exploration of the Moon. Such a source can be a planetary power station based on the synergy of nuclear and non-nuclear energy sources as part of a single energy system of the lunar infrastructure,” the materials that scientists are going to present say. at the Royal Readings, which will be held January 24-27 in Moscow.
“NRC “Kurchatov Institute” together with Moscow State Technical University named after N.E. Bauman consider a promising power plant, including a small-sized autonomous high-temperature nuclear reactor and an energy conversion system (ECS) operating on the Stirling cycle,” the scientists specify.
It is noted that a nuclear reactor, which will be a source of thermal energy, must have high reliability, autonomy and natural safety. Scientists have formed the appearance of the reactor taking into account the groundwork in the field of fast liquid metal reactors and are going to use already proven technical solutions in it.
The plant itself, operating on the Stirling cycle, will be arranged according to a modular principle so that a single failure of one unit does not lead to a failure of the system as a whole. Heat transfer will occur due to high-temperature heat pipes. The electrical power of the installation should be 50 kW.
The Stirling cycle implies the operation of a heat engine, which contains not only a heater and a refrigerator, but also a regenerator, which at certain stages removes or gives off heat to the working fluid. It is also used in air-independent power plants of submarines.
