Experimental investigation of a thermionic converter with developed surface electrodes

Journal Article · Fri Jan 10 00:00:00 EST 1997 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.51975· OSTI ID:21165719

Luke, James R; El-Genk, Mohamed S; Adrian, John M ^[1]

---

1. Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies/Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Department University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131 (United States)

A thermionic converter with developed planar electrode surfaces is designed and tested. One of the electrodes has concentric circular grooves cut into its surface, while the other electrode surface is smooth. The grooves are 0.5 mm deep and 0.5 mm wide, having lands that are 1.0 mm wide. The experimental setup is flexible so that either the smooth or developed surface electrode can be operated as the emitter, with the other operating as the collector. The I-V characteristics and power output are compared for the two electrode arrangements.

• OSTI ID: 21165719
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 387, Issue 1; Conference: STAIF-97: Space technology and applications international forum, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 26-30 Jan 1997; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.51975; (c) 1997 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRODES
THERMIONIC CONVERSION
THERMIONIC CONVERTERS
THERMIONIC REACTORS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems