Title :
Advanced research directions in thermionic energy conversion
Author :
Kennel, Elliot B. ; Caveny, Leonard H.
Author_Institution :
WRDC/POOC-2, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, USA
Abstract :
An overview is presented of plans for thermionic energy conversion research for the next decade. The primary focus is on space nuclear power applications in the 10 to 1000 kW range. In addition to refining the state of the art for the conventional ignited mode converter, there are more generic technologies which will be pursued for a wide range of duty cycles. Desired attributes are improved lifetime, reasonable cost, high performance, and reliability without sacrificing the basic simplicity of the technology
Keywords :
fission reactor theory and design; space vehicle power plants; thermionic conversion; 10 to 1000 kW; cost; duty cycles; lifetime; performance; reliability; research directions; space nuclear power applications; thermionic energy conversion; Energy conversion; Fuels; Inductors; Plasmas; Power generation economics; Pulse shaping methods; Space heating; Space technology; Temperature; Voltage;
Conference_Titel :
Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, 1989. IECEC-89., Proceedings of the 24th Intersociety
Conference_Location :
Washington, DC
DOI :
10.1109/IECEC.1989.74619
