Two-dimensional steady-state analysis of an electrically heated thermionic fuel element
- Institute for Space Nuclear Power Studies, Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131 (United States)
A two-dimensional transient model of a single cell, long Thermionic Fuel Element (TFE) is developed and its predictions are compared with published calculations and experimental data on steady-state operation of electrically heated, TOPAZ-II type TFEs. The operation parameters of the TFE, such as axial distributions of the emitter temperature, emission current density, and the electrode voltage are calculated and discussed. Results show that despite the excellent agreement between the model predictions of the axial distribution of the emitter temperature, its predictions of the maximum emission current density was lower by about 17%. This difference is attributed primarily to the J-V characteristics in the model, which could be different than those of the TOPAZ-II TFE, hence additional data on the latter is needed. When compared with experimental data, the model predictions of the electric power output are in excellent agreement with the data at thermal power input of 3.5 kW or higher, but within 10% of the data at lower thermal power.
- OSTI ID:
- 5587686
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-930103--
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States), Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States) Vol. 271:3; ISSN 0094-243X; ISSN APCPCS
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Computer modeling of single-cell and multicell thermionic fuel elements
Comparison between steady-state and dynamic I-V measurements from a single-cell thermionic fuel element
Related Subjects
210600* -- Power Reactors
Auxiliary
Mobile Package
& Transportable
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220200 -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Components & Accessories
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300403 -- Thermionic Converters-- Materials
Components
& Auxiliaries
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
CURRENT DENSITY
DATA
ELECTRIC HEATING
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
EVALUATION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
EXPERIMENTAL REACTORS
FUEL ELEMENTS
HEATING
HYDRIDE MODERATED REACTORS
INFORMATION
MOBILE REACTORS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
NUMERICAL DATA
POWER REACTORS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTORS
RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS
SIMULATION
SPACE POWER REACTORS
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION
THERMIONIC FUEL ELEMENTS
TOPAZ REACTOR
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS