NUCLEAR FUEL (OXIDE) CLAD THERMIONIC CONVERTERS. Quarterly Technical Progress Report, May 1 through July 31, 1963

Technical Report · Thu Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 1963

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4640310· OSTI ID:4640310

Fabrication of the components for the FDM-1 converter and its back-up device was completed. The FDM-1 converter was assembled, and preparations for testing were completed. Performance testing was initiated, and a total of 330 hours of operation above 1000 deg K in a cesium environment were logged. The peak emitter temperature reached was 2000 deg K with a thermionic output of nearly 2 watts/cm/sup 2/. Indications of a cesium leak were observed, and the device was shut down for examination. A 500-hour thermal endurance test of the clad fuel pellets was performed. A post-test examination was conducted, and no diffusion of UO/sub 2/ into the cladding was observed. A thermal conductivity test specimen was exposed to a temperature of 1550 deg C for 500 hours with the result that some intergranular diffusion was noted. The post-test examination of the vacuum emission test pellet was also completed. The design of the advanced double-diode thermionic converter utilizing the results of prior efforts was initiated. (auth)

• Research Organization: Martin-Marietta Corp. Aerospace Div., Baltimore
• NSA Number: NSA-17-039719
• OSTI ID: 4640310
• Report Number(s): MND-2945-3; AD-415102
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CESIUM
DIFFUSION
DIODES
EMISSION
FABRICATION
FUELS
HIGH TEMPERATURE
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
OXIDES
PHYSICS
TESTING
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
THERMIONICS
URANIUM DIOXIDE
VAPORS