A PLASMA-SHEATH THEORY FOR NOBLE GAS THERMIONIC CONVERTERS

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1962 · Advan. Energy Conversion

OSTI ID:4716030

Leffert, C B

A plasma-sheath theory is described for computing the V-I characteristics of noble gas thermionic converters. Application of this theory in the form of an IBM computer code to laboratory and in-pile experimental data is presented. The assumptions in the theory are twofold: (1) a spatially uniform ion density is assumed in the interelectrode plasma between the emitter and collector sheaths; and (2) the ion loss rate is taken to be independent of the diode voltage. The basic plasma-sheath equations are presented, and the operation of the computer code to produce the theoretical voltage-current characteristics is outlined. The experimental data from the operation of laboratory and in-pile thermionic converters are analyzed by adjusting plasma parameters to fit the theoretical to the experimental voltage-current characteristics. A reasonable fit of the theoretical curves to the experimental curves is obtained. It was found that the ion density in the plasma varies considerably with the diode voltage. The effects of such variables as volume recombination of ions, plasma resistivity, and tube geometry on the voltage- current characteristics are discussed. The general V-I characteristics obtained from the code for a Gabor-type triode are described. The results show a significant increase in the ratio of the output current to the ion source rate for a large collector to emitter area ratio not only for the plasma limited case but also for the power producing region of the emission limited case. (auth)

• Research Organization: General Motors Corp., Warren, Mich.
• NSA Number: NSA-17-020613
• OSTI ID: 4716030
• Journal Information: Advan. Energy Conversion, Journal Name: Advan. Energy Conversion Vol. Vol: 2
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

COMPUTERS
CONFIGURATION
CONVERSION
CURRENTS
DENSITY
DIODES
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRODES
ELECTRON TUBES
EMISSION
EQUATIONS
ION SOURCES
IONS
LAYERS
LOSSES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
OPERATION
PHYSICS
PLASMA
POWER
PROGRAMMING
RARE GASES
REACTORS
THERMIONICS
VOLUME