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U.S. Department of Energy
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DOE advanced thermionic technology program. Progress report No. 46, January, February, March 1981

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6467680· OSTI ID:6467680

The primary long-term goal is to improve thermionic performance to the level that thermionic topping of fossil-fuel powerplants becomes technically possible and economically attractive. An intermediate goal is to operate a thermionic module in a powerplant during the mid-1980's. A short-term goal is to demonstrate reliable thermionic operation in a combustion environment. This report covers progress made during the three-month period from January through March 1981. During this period, significant accomplishments include: (1) continuing stable output from the combustion test of the one-inch diameter hemispherical silicon carbide diode at an emitter temperature of 1730 K for a period of over 6400 hours; (2) demonstration of an additive oxygen effect in a research diode with a cesium-graphite reservoir located in the collector; (3) preliminary testing of the four-diode module; and (4) evaluation of a research diode with ZrO/sub 2/-Mo cermet electrodes.

Research Organization:
Thermo Electron Corp., Waltham, MA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-76ER11291
OSTI ID:
6467680
Report Number(s):
TE-4258-247-81; ON: DE81027307
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English