Kinetic simulations of ignited mode cesium vapor thermionic converters

Lietz, A. M.; Groenewald, R. E.; Scherpelz, P.; Hopkins, M. M.

doi:10.1063/5.0117599

Title: Kinetic simulations of ignited mode cesium vapor thermionic converters

Journal Article · Wed Jan 11 00:00:00 EST 2023 · Journal of Applied Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0117599· OSTI ID:1924503

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Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh, NC (United States)
Modern Electron Inc., Bothell, WA (United States)
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Cesium vapor thermionic converters are an attractive method of converting high-temperature heat directly to electricity, but theoretical descriptions of the systems have been difficult due to the multi-step ionization of Cs through inelastic electron–neutral collisions. This work presents particle-in-cell simulations of these converters, using a direct simulation Monte Carlo collision model to track 52 excited states of Cs. Here, these simulations show the dominant role of multi-step ionization, which also varies significantly based on both the applied voltage bias and pressure. The electron energy distribution functions are shown to be highly non-Maxwellian in the cases analyzed here. A comparison with previous approaches is presented, and large differences are found in ionization rates due especially to the fact that previous approaches have assumed Maxwellian electron distributions. Finally, an open question regarding the nature of the plasma sheaths in the obstructed regime is discussed. The one-dimensional simulations did not produce stable obstructed regime operation and thereby do not support the double-sheath hypothesis.

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Research Organization:: Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Fusion Energy Sciences (FES)

Grant/Contract Number:: NA0003525

OSTI ID:: 1924503

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2311658

Report Number(s):: SAND2023-12185J; TRN: US2312787

Journal Information:: Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 133, Issue 2; ISSN 0021-8979

Publisher:: American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Title: Kinetic simulations of ignited mode cesium vapor thermionic converters

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