Abstract
A conceptual scheme is proposed for a cylindrical thermionic energy converter with reduced radiation losses. The decrease in losses was achieved by using a perforated collector.
The geometric dimensions of the thermionic energy converter with a perforated collector are optimized to obtain maximum efficiency by decreasing radiation losses with a small increase in losses in the plasma. Comparing the parameters of the converter with a perforated collector with the parameters of the conventional variant of a cylindrical thermionic energy converter showed that for the same power the former has a higher efficiency in almost the entire range of the electrode temperature and a more than two times greater power per unit total mass of the electrodes.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
P. V. Poshekhonov and É. I. Sokolovskii, Thermal Calculation of Electronic Devices, Vysshaya Shkola, Moscow (1977).
V. Z. Kaibyshev, “Phenomenological model of a low-voltage discharge in cesium,” Preprint IAÉ-4639/7, TsNIIatominform, Moscow (1988).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kaibyshev, V.Z., Lysikov, A.V. & Sidorov, S.A. Thermionic Energy Converter with Low Radiation Losses. Atomic Energy 93, 740–748 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021772117240
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021772117240