EVALUATION OF A MOLYBDENUM EMITTER, LOW VOLTAGE ARC THERMIONIC POWER CONVERTER

Technical Report · Fri Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1963

OSTI ID:4693265

Baum, E A

Results of life tests on the planar molybdenum-emitter cesium-vapor thermionic converter operating under steadystate conditions are presented along with a description of the life-test equipment. Transient data on the effect of variations in cathode, anode, and reservoir temperatures, as well as step changes in the load, are also presented. The steady-state life tests were performed at a cathode temperature of 1450 un. Concent 85% C on a 5 cm/sup 2/ cathode area converter design with the thermal input being supplied by a radiationtype furnace in order to more closely simulate solar cavity heating. Seven converters were tested for extended periods with nominal power outputs of 1.5 watts/cm/sup 2/ to 2.5 watts/ cm/sup 2/. The maximum life of the state-of-the-art structure on one converter was in excess of 3000 hours and four converters were operated beyond 1000 hours without major degradation in the power output. In addition, the analyses of two converters that operated for 1200 hours and 1400 hours are discussed. (auth)

• Research Organization: General Electric Co. Power Tube Dept., Schenectady, N.Y.
• NSA Number: NSA-17-022265
• OSTI ID: 4693265
• Report Number(s): ASD-TDR-63-183
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ANODES
CATHODES
CESIUM
CONFIGURATION
CONVERSION
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC ARCS
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
EMISSION
FURNACES
HEATING
LIFETIME
MOLYBDENUM
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
OPERATION
PHYSICS
PLANNING
POWER
RADIATIONS
TEMPERATURE
TESTING
THERMIONICS
TRANSIENTS
VAPORS
VARIATIONS