EFFICIENCY OF THE PLASMA THERMOCOUPLE

Journal Article · Thu Mar 31 23:00:00 EST 1960 · Journal of Applied Physics (U.S.)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1735675· OSTI ID:4173913

Lewis, H W; Reitz, J R

The efficiency of a thermionic converter containing cesium ions is calculated for the regime, in which the plasma density is sufficiently high so that the random current density, nev-bar/4, is large compared to the actual current density. Under these circumstances, positive space charge barriers are set up nt the electrodes, and the plasma region is many free paths in length. The output voltage V is determined for various currents by a consistent solution of the electrical and thermal conduction problems. The efficiency of the thermocouple is then deduced from the calculated current-voltage characteristic aud the appropriate electron temperature distribution. Overall efficiencies up to 32% are predicted for a typical thermocouple circuit. (auth)

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., N. Mex.
• NSA Number: NSA-14-013398
• OSTI ID: 4173913
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics (U.S.), Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics (U.S.) Journal Issue: 4 Vol. Vol: 31; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BARRIERS
CESIUM
CURRENTS
DENSITY
DISTRIBUTION
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC CHARGES
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRODES
ELECTRONS
IONS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
PHYSICS
PLASMA
SPACE CHARGE
STATISTICS
TEMPERATURE
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
THERMIONICS
THERMOCOUPLES