Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Analytical model for calculating the current–voltage characteristics of a thermionic energy converter

  • Published:
Atomic Energy Aims and scope

An analytical model of the current–voltage characteristics of a thermionic energy converter is presented. The model was developed by comparing the results of numerical integration of the equations governing charge transport and energy transfer in the interelectrode gap with the experimental characteristics and diagnostics of the near-electrode plasma parameters and the emission properties of the electrodes. The computed and experimental characteristics are compared in a wide range of electrode temperatures, cesium vapor pressures, interelectrode gaps and electrode materials. The results confirm that the computed and experimental characteristics measured in converters with planar and cylindrical electrode geometries are not only in qualitative but also quantitative agreement with one another. The model can be used to calculate the parameters of nuclear thermionic power-generation facilities and to analyze the results of secondary-loop tests of electricity-generating channels.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. F. G. Baksht, G. A. Dyuzhev, I. L. Korobova, et al., “Low-voltage arc in thermionic converters,” Zh. Tekhn. Fiz., 38, No. 7, 1075–1094 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  2. V. Z. Kaibyshev, Thermionic Emission in Space Nuclear Power Facilities, edited by N. N. Ponomarev-Stepnoi, Energoatomizdat, Moscow (2008).

    Google Scholar 

  3. V. Z. Kaibyshev, “Identification of the factors determining the efficiency of a thermionic energy converter,” At. Énerg., 112, No. 1, 24–31 (2012).

    Google Scholar 

  4. V. Z. Kaibyshev, “Identification of the factors determining TEC efficiency,” in: Int. Conf. Nuclear Power in Space 2005, Moscow–Podolsk, March 1–3, 2005, Vol. 2, pp. 320–331.

  5. F. Rufeh and D. Lieb, The Output Characteristics of a Vapor-Deposited Tungsten Emitter and a Molybdenum Collector, Thermo Electron Corporation, Massachusetts, June 1969.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  6. L. Hansen, “Criterion for a double sheath emission barrier,” in: Thermionic Conversion Specialist Conf., Carmel, California, October 1969, pp. 212–219.

  7. F. G. Baksht, B. Ya. Moizhes, and V. A. Nemchinskii, “Ionization in plasma together with Maxwellization of the free electrons,” Zh. Tekhn. Fiz., 38, No. 10, 1731–1743 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  8. D. Lieb, A. Donaker, and F. Rufeh, “Performance of a thermionic converter with a nominal single crystal (110) tungsten emitter and a niobium collector,” in: Thermionic Conversion Specialist Conf., Carmel, California, October 1969, pp. 66–75.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Research Center Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia

    V. Z. Kaibyshev & V. I. Chebotarev

Authors
  1. V. Z. Kaibyshev
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. V. I. Chebotarev
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 112, No. 5, pp. 270–276, May, 2012.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kaibyshev, V.Z., Chebotarev, V.I. Analytical model for calculating the current–voltage characteristics of a thermionic energy converter. At Energy 112, 332–340 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10512-012-9566-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10512-012-9566-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation