On possibility of direct electroionizmg conversion of nuclear energy to electricity

The objective of the present article is theoretical invesligation of possibility of direct conversion of the nLictear energy to electricity without all intermediate stages: the thermal and the mechanical. The principle of this method (so-called ʹelectroionizmgʹ) is ionization of rare gas atoms with fission fragments and separation of generated positive and negative ions with the external electric field. Under certain conditions, when so-called the Debyeʹs screening of charged particles within the produced plasma takes place, the recombination among these particles is insignificant, ll is discovered that because of the absence of Carnoʹs limit on the efficiency of conversion, the performance coefficient may be 40 50% irrespective of temperature. The conditions of serviceability of the present method are definited. © 1999 Published by Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.