Lunar Surface Gas Turbine Power Systems With Fission Reactor Heat Sources

Abstract A concept for evolutionary development of lunar base nuclear power plants is proposed. Starting with a 20 kWe Closed Brayton Cycle system for an initial lunar outpost connecting multiple modular units to a single reactor for lunar bases, and the eventual deployment of multi-megawatt systems for lunar colonies is discussed. System performance and mass details were generated by an author developed code (BRMAPS) including options for increased power output by artificially depressing lunar daytime sink temperatures and maximum power generation during the lunar night. Nomenclature A r Radiating area, m 2 C p Working fluid specific heat, J/kg-K d Average sun-to-lunar orbit distance, 1.496*10 11 m h r Gas heat transfer coefficient, W/m 2 -K L Solar Luminosity (3.86×10 26 W) m  Working fluid mass flow rate, kg/s P IC Compressor Inlet Pressure, mPa P OC Compressor Outlet Pressure, mPa P IT Turbine Inlet Pressure, mPa P OT Turbine Outlet Pressure, mPa T e , T S Equilibrium surface or space sink Temperature, K