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Practical aspects of plasma processes in thermionic energy convertersOver a decade of cesium vapor thermionic converter research has yielded sufficient understanding of the basic plasma processes to permit application of this understanding to improvement of converter performance. A performance index is defined which relates such converter improvements directly to increases in system performance. A prime practical objective of current research is to reduce or eliminate the arc potential drop presently required to sustain the plasma in the ignited cesium diode. This will substantially increase the energy conversion efficiency, and will permit operation at substantially lower emitter temperatures without requiring lower collector (heat rejection) temperature. Present work is concentrating on evaluating and reducing to practice the several methods employing auxiliary ion sources to eliminate the arc drop which were demonstrated over a decade ago: i.e., various ignited and unignited triode concepts, and the pulse-enhanced diode and triode. These methods are reviewed in light of present understanding and recent experimental data.
Document ID
19750061886
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Rasor, N. S.
Hansen, L. K.
Fitzpatrick, G. O.
Britt, E. J.
(Rasor Associates, Inc. Sunnyvale, Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1975
Subject Category
Energy Production And Conversion
Meeting Information
Meeting: Energy 10; Annual Intersociety Energy Conversion and Engineering Conference
Location: Newark, DE
Start Date: August 18, 1975
End Date: August 22, 1975
Accession Number
75A45958
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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