Power Conversion Systems of the 21st Century

Abstract

A review of experience with power conversion systems during the past 15 centuries coupled with a survey of present systems provides a basis for speculating on the nature of the power conversion systems that may be expected to predominate in the 21st century. Exhaustion of our fossil-fuel reserves coupled with cost considerations will overcome emotional objections and lead to the use of nuclear fission and/or fusion as our prime energy source. In speculating on the power conversion systems best suited to use with fission or fusion reactors, a good case can be made for the thesis that these will employ a potassium or cesium vapor cycle operating with a turbine inlet temperature of 1400 to 2000/sup 0/F (760 to 1100/sup 0/C) that will reject its heat at around 1000/sup 0/F (540/sup 0/C) to a conventional steam system. The latter in turn will reject its heat at around 300/sup 0/F (150/sup 0/C) for use in industrial processes and district heating systems. Railroads will be electrified and automobiles and trucks will run on high energy storage batteries. Excess waste heat can be employed to distill sewage to provide fresh water, and to evaporate sewage sludge to dryness to sterilize it and yieldmore » good fertilizer.« less