Optimization of a Knudsen Cs--Ba thermionic converter

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Sov. Phys. - Tech. Phys. (Engl. Transl.); (United States)

OSTI ID:6484216

Babanin, V I; Kuznetsov, V I; Mustafaev, A S; Sitnov, V I; Ender, A Y

The performance of a thermionic converter that operates in the Knudsen regime is optimized. The potential distribution with surface-ionization is studied, with particular attention being paid to the region near the transition from the overneutralized state to the underneutralized state. The saturation current is optimized and the maximum converter current is compared with the random current in an isothermal equilibrium cavity. The concept of a generalized voltage--current characteristic is introduced for power optimization. This characteristic is used to determine the anode work function and to calculate the output power. The experimental data agree with the calculated results and indicate a high efficiency for a cesium--barium thermionic converter.

• Research Organization: A. F. Ioffe Physicotechnical Institute, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad
• OSTI ID: 6484216
• Journal Information: Sov. Phys. - Tech. Phys. (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Sov. Phys. - Tech. Phys. (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 23:4; ISSN SPTPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300401* -- Thermionic Converters-- Design & Development
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
BARIUM
BOLTZMANN STATISTICS
CESIUM
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EFFICIENCY
ELEMENTS
EQUATIONS
FLUID FLOW
GAS FLOW
KINETIC EQUATIONS
KNUDSEN FLOW
METALS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
OPTIMIZATION
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RECOMBINATION
SPACE CHARGE
THERMIONIC CONVERTERS
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
VAPOR PRESSURE