A PARAMETRIC STUDY OF THE THERMIONIC DIODE SYSTEM FOR LARGE NUCLEAR-ELECTRIC POWERPLANTS IN SPACE VEHICLES

Abstract

The potential performance of thermionic diodes converting reactor heat to electricity for propulsion of space vehicles is explored in a parametric study. Electron heating, thermal radiation, joulean heating, and heat conduction losses are included; losses in the plasma are not. The diode system is compared with the Rankine cycle system using radiator area per unit of output power as the criterion. The diode system can surpass the turbogenerator if the diodes can be incorporated into the reactor fuel elements, electrodes with optimum work functions can be developed, and the anodes can be cooled by conduction without electrical short circuiting.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1962
Accession Number
AD0269928

Entities

People

  • Daniel T. Bernatowicz

Organizations

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Electromagnetic Radiation
  • Heat Energy
  • Radiation
  • Rankine Cycles
  • Reactor Fuel Elements
  • Reactor Fuels
  • Spacecraft
  • Thermal Radiation
  • Vehicles
  • Work Functions

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electronics Engineering

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster