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HIGH-TEMPERATURE VAPOR-FILLED THERMIONIC CONVERTER

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4746918· OSTI ID:4746918
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Progress Development of a high temperature, vaporfilled thermionic converter for application with a nuclear reactor for space-vehicle electrical power generation is reported. Problems associated with the design and opera tion of a thermionic converter employing a UC-ZrC emitter, a cesium plasma for space charge neutralization, and a high-temperature collector are described. Emitter fabrication techniques are also described. A test cell employing a cylindrical UC-ZrC emitter, which was pressure bonded to a tantalum sleeve, and a low- temperature copper collector, was fabricated and operated for 400 hours to provide experimental data. The emitter was operated at temperatures of the order of 2000 deg C while the collector temperature was maintained at 200 to 300 deg C. A conceptual design for a thermionic power reactor incorporating the thermionic converter under development is also studied. It was concluded that a thermionic fuel element would be about 20 inches long and 0.68 inch in diameter and would incorporate 1O thermionic cells. The load voltage per fuel element would be about 14.5 volts and two elements would be connected in parallel (electrically) to provide an output of 29 volts. The over-all design would provide an electrical power level of approximately one megawatt. (auth)

Research Organization:
General Atomic Div., General Dynamics Corp., San Diego, Calif.
NSA Number:
NSA-16-033579
OSTI ID:
4746918
Report Number(s):
GA-2911; ASD-TR-61-513(Pt.II)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

CESIUM
CONFIGURATION
CONVERSION
COPPER
ELECTRIC CHARGES
FUEL ELEMENTS
HIGH TEMPERATURE
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
PERFORMANCE
PHYSICS
PLASMA
POWER PLANTS
PRESSURE
REACTORS
SPACE VEHICLES
TANTALUM
THERMIONICS
URANIUM CARBIDES
VAPORS
ZIRCONIUM CARBIDES