Efficient ternary sources of working-body vapors for thermionic converters

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Atomic Energy (New York)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02407446· OSTI ID:441326

Kalandarishvili, A G; Kashiya, V G

The results of experiments to determine the energy characteristics of a cylindrical thermionic converter (TC) are presented. The TC investigated had ternary working-body vapor sources based on multicomponent cesium systems with either bismuth oxide, vanadium oxide, or tungsten oxide additions. Sorption characteristics of the systems were first determined, and then the ternary source was operated as part of the TC. The kinetics of the interaction of cesium vapor with the oxides was studied gravimetrically at various collector temperatures. The cesium TC electrical power output was increased 40 to 60% with a Cs{sub 12}Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3} ternary source in the arc mode. A Cs{sub 3}V{sub 2}O{sub 5} system increased TC output power from 20 to 40%, depending on emitter temperature. For the two Cs{sub x}WO{sub 3} sources examined, power increased almost 50%. The ternary sources examined also extended the working temperature range of the TC. 18 refs., 5 figs.

• OSTI ID: 441326
• Journal Information: Atomic Energy (New York), Journal Name: Atomic Energy (New York) Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 76; ISSN AENYEZ; ISSN 1063-4258
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
BISMUTH ADDITIONS
BISMUTH OXIDES
CESIUM BASE ALLOYS
ELECTRIC POWER
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TERNARY ALLOY SYSTEMS
THERMIONIC CONVERTERS
TUNGSTEN ADDITIONS
TUNGSTEN OXIDES
VANADIUM ADDITIONS
VANADIUM OXIDES