Simulation of fission heated single-cell thermionic fuel elements in presence of oxygen using uniform electric heating

Journal Article · Tue Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1996 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.51974· OSTI ID:627668

Paramonov, D V; El-Genk, M S ^[1]

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1. Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Department University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico87131 (United States)

This paper investigated the accuracy of simulating fission heated single-cell Thermionic Fuel Elements (TFEs) using uniform electric heating in the presence of oxygen in the interelectrode gap. The electrodes temperatures current densities, and the tungsten loss rates from the emitter surface were calculated and compared for both heating options. The effect of oxygen presence in the interelectrode gap on the TFE performance was also compared for fission and electrically heating TFE. Electrical heating results in a more uniform axial distributions of emitter temperature, current density, and tungsten loss rate distributions in the central part of the TFE compared to fission heating. Results show that introducing oxygen into the interelectrode gap reduces the output electric power for both fission and electrically heated TFEs. For example, at an effective oxygen pressure of 5{times}10{sup {minus}9}torr and O/W atom ratio in the tungsten oxides deposits on the collector surface of 0.66, the electric power output at Q{sub th}=3500W{sub th} was about 38W{sub e} less than in the absence of oxygen, for both electrically and fission heated TFEs. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 627668
• Report Number(s): CONF-970115--
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 387; ISSN APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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