DEVELOPMENT OF AN ISOTOPE FUELED THERMIONIC GENERATOR FOR ABOUT 30 W ELECTRICAL POWER

Technical Report · Mon Dec 15 04:00:00 EST 1969

OSTI ID:4137543

Batzies, P; Birnbreier, H; Fischer, W; Gammel, G; Koskinen, M F; Langpape, R; Minor, A; Schmid, H E; Uhing, E

A plane parallel thermionic energy converter which can be heated with a radio-isotope has been developed. At an emitter temperature of 1800 deg K and a collector temperature of 1000 deg K the maximum electrical power output amounts to 36.5 W (9,1 W/cm2). Considering the overall heat losses of converter and heat source, an overall efficiency of 10 per cent at 25 W electrical power output is to be expected. A prototype converter has been working for more than 3000 hours without any degradation. Tests have been conducted to improve the electrode efficiency and the power output. This has been done by preparing the emitter in adding cesium-oxide and in selecting appropriate collector materials. Studies have been performed about radio-iosotope-generators for earthbound and space application. (auth)

• Research Organization: Brown, Boveri und Cie A. G., Heidelberg (West Germany). Zentrales Forschungslabor
• NSA Number: NSA-24-019161
• OSTI ID: 4137543
• Report Number(s): BMBW-FBK--69-44
• Country of Publication: Germany
• Language: German

Related Subjects

CONVERSION
DESIGN
ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
N24410* --Engineering--Isotope Technology--Power Sources
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
RADIOISOTOPES
THERMIONIC CONVERTERS/development of 30-W radioisotope- fueled
for space and terrestrial power systems
THERMIONICS