• DocumentCode
    1382565
  • Title

    Thermionic nuclear reactors

  • Author

    Gyftopoulos, E. P. ; Hatsopoulos, G. N.

  • Author_Institution
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass.
  • Volume
    82
  • Issue
    1
  • fYear
    1963
  • fDate
    3/1/1963 12:00:00 AM
  • Firstpage
    98
  • Lastpage
    108
  • Abstract
    The coupling of nuclear reactors with thermionic converters is reviewed. First, the paper discusses principles of operation of thermionic converters, together with present and anticipated advancements. Particular emphasis is given to parameters that influence optimum performance and life of converters; namely, work function of emitter and collector, spacing between the same, temperatures of operation, cesium vapor pressure, and materials. The discussion is illustrated by a series of experimental results and amplified by theoretical analysis.
  • Keywords
    Electric potential; Electrodes; Inductors; Ions; Materials; Metals; Space charge;
  • fLanguage
    English
  • Journal_Title
    American Institute of Electrical Engineers, Part I: Communication and Electronics, Transactions of the
  • Publisher
    ieee
  • ISSN
    0097-2452
  • Type

    jour

  • DOI
    10.1109/TCE.1963.6373307
  • Filename
    6373307