NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Collections About News Help Login
Back to Results
Performance Testing of a Prototypic Annular Linear Induction Pump for Fission Surface PowerResults of performance testing of an annular linear induction pump are presented. The pump electromagnetically pumps liquid metal (NaK) through a circuit specially designed to allow for quantification of the performance. Testing was conducted over a range of conditions, including frequencies of 33, 36, 39, and 60 Hz, liquid metal temperatures from 25 to 525 C, and input voltages from 5 to 120 V. Pump performance spanned a range of flow rates from roughly 0.16 to 5.7 L/s (2.5 to 90 gpm), and pressure head <1 to 90 kPa (<0.145 to 13 psi). The maximum efficiency measured during testing was slightly greater than 6%. The efficiency was fairly insensitive to input frequency from 33 to 39 Hz, and was markedly lower at 60 Hz. In addition, the efficiency decreased as the NaK temperature was raised. While the pump was powered, the fluid responded immediately to changes in the input power level, but when power was removed altogether, there was a brief slow-down period before the fluid would come to rest. The performance of the pump operating on a variable frequency drive providing 60 Hz power compared favorably with the same pump operating on 60 Hz power drawn directly from the electrical grid.
Document ID
20100020983
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Technical Publication (TP)
Authors
Polzin, K. A. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Pearson, J. B. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Schoenfeld, M. P. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Webster, K. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Houts, M. G. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Godfroy, T. J. (Maximum Technology Corp. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Bossard, J. A. (Yetispace, Inc. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 2010
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
M-1279
NASA/TP-2010-216430
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

Related Records

There are no records associated with this record.
No Preview Available