Thermodynamic Performance of 5MW Space Nuclear Power System Based on Liquid Metal Rankine Cycle

In this paper, the losses of energy and exergy of 5WM Rankine space nuclear power system were analyzed and compared through thermodynamic analysis. The power system includes a liquid metal Rankine power conversion system coupled with a lithium cooled fast reactor. Meanwhile, a reheat process is contained to enhance the efficiency of the system. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the sites with largest losses of energy and exergy upon the thermodynamic analysis of the system. Hence, this study focus on the positions and loss types of the efficient energy in such a liquid metal Rankine space nuclear power system. In addition, the effects of varied space environment state on this analysis was presented through investigating the influences of ambient temperature on the energy losses and efficiencies in every parts. At last, the characteristics of four Rankine space nuclear power systems with different liquid metals were studied.