Adavanced RTG and thermoelectric materials study

Abstract

A comprehensive, generalized two-dimensional RTG analysis computer program was developed. This program is capable of analyzing any specified RTG design under a wide range of transient as well as steady-state operating conditions. The feasibility of a new concept for the design of segmented (or single-phase) thermoelectric couples was demonstrated. A SiGe-PbTe segmented couple involving pressure contacted junctions at the intermediate- and hot-junction temperatures was successfully encapsulated in a hermetically sealed bellows enclosure. This bellows-encapsulated couple was operated between a hot- and cold-junction temperature of 1200 K and 450 K, respectively, with a measured energy conversion efficiency of 7.6 + or - .5 per cent. An experimental study of selected sublimation barrier schemes revealed that a significant reduction in the sublimation rate of p-type PbTe could be achieved by using multiple layers of SiO2 fibers. A comparison of the barrier effectiveness is given for three different barrier designs.