A review of cesium thermionic converters with developed emitter surfaces

Journal Article · Fri Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.49899· OSTI ID:385496

Paramonov, D V; El-Genk, M S ^[1]

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

Studies from US and Russian literature on experimental and theoretical investigations of thermionic converters with developed emitter surfaces are reviewed and analyzed. Experimental data for these converters is compared with that for close-spaced and traditional Cs arc converters. The former is most advantageous at low temperatures from 1300 to 1700 K, with the power gain increasing as the emitter temperature decreases and/or its emission properties deteriorate. This power gain is attainable at a larger load voltage and at a significantly larger optimum interelectrode gap size than traditional converters. Additional experiments and mathematical modeling are needed to understand the physical processes taking place and assess the performance of thermionic converters with developed emitter surfaces, compared to traditional ones operating under identical conditions. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}

• OSTI ID: 385496
• Report Number(s): CONF-960109--
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 361; ISSN APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
CESIUM
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ENERGY CONVERSION
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
PERFORMANCE
POWER DENSITY
THERMIONIC CONVERTERS
THERMIONIC EMISSION