QUARTERLY STATUS REPORT OF THE LASL PLASMA THERMOCOUPLE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR PERIOD ENDING DECEMBER 20, 1959

Technical Report · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1960

OSTI ID:4167913

An operating cell was designed for an in-pile test to determine the operating characteristics as a function of pin temperatare and of cesium vapor pressure. The cell failed after about 15 minutes operation. In order to study the effects of the work function of the emitter, on the output of the plasma thermocouple cell, the standard 5/8-in. button was replaced by one with ten deep slots cut parallel to a diameter. The thermal conductivity of the Roldde A coating was measured. A cell with a cavity emiltter was investigated. Fission product diffusion from a OZ - UC pin was measured after irradiation and heating to 2400 deg C. Work was started on a plasma cell with a guard-ring construction for the purpose of studying the basic physical properties of the system. Work was done to determine how small the concentration of UC can be made before the electron emission of the solid solution in ZrC is adversely affected. Plasma thermocouple reactor concepts are discussed. Calculations are being made of various cathode geometries and experiments to provide pertinent information are being considered. The compatibillty of (UC)/sub 0.3/(ZrC)/sub 0.7/ with tungsten and beryllium oxide at high temperature was studied. (For preceding period see R.AMS-2364.) (W.D.M.)

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., N. Mex.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• NSA Number: NSA-14-008666
• OSTI ID: 4167913
• Report Number(s): LAMS-2396
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BERYLLIUM OXIDES
CARBIDES
CATHODES
CESIUM
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COATING
DIFFUSION
ELECTRONS
EMISSION
FAILURES
FISSION PRODUCTS
HEATING
HIGH TEMPERATURE
IRRADIATION
MATHEMATICS
MEASURED VALUES
METALS, CERAMICS, AND MATERIALS
PLASMA
PRESSURE
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
RODS
SOLID SOLUTIONS
TEMPERATURE
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
THERMOCOUPLES
TUNGSTEN
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
VAPORS
ZIRCONIUM CARBIDES