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Title: DOE/JPL advanced thermionic technology program. Progress report No. 44, July, August, September 1980

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6874563· OSTI ID:6874563

The primary long-term goal of the DOE effort is to improve TEC performance to the level that thermionic topping of fossil fuel powerplants becomes technically possible and economically attractive. An intermediate goal is to demonstrate an in-boiler thermionic module in the early 1980's. A short-term goal is the demonstration of the reliability of thermionic operation in a combustion environment. The focus of the JPL program is to develop thermionic conversion technology appropriate for nuclear electric propulsion missions. These missions require operation at collector temperatures that are substantially higher than those associated with terrestrial applications. The DOE and JPL tasks for developing thermionic energy conversion are complementary and synergistic. Converter performance improvement is an area in which one agency's program supports the effort of the other. Significant accomplishments in this reporting period are described.

Research Organization:
Thermo Electron Corp., Waltham, MA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-76ER11291
OSTI ID:
6874563
Report Number(s):
TE-4258/4247-72-81
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English