FLAME HEATED THERMIONIC CONVERTER RESEARCH
Abstract
Thermionic Converter Development: Two flameheated diodes were tested. The first diode developed a leak in the Durak-B coated molybdenum thimble after 2 hr of operation. The second did not operate satisfactorily. After disassembly for inspection, the second diode was found to be leaktight and to contain a considerable quantity of unreacted Cs. The interior was shiny. The sapphire spacer which separated the emitter from the collector was shattered. Heat Source Development: Ten different designs were tried in order to develop for the demonstration converter a heater with both a reasonable heating efficiency and a reasonable pressure drop at an emitter temperature of about 1400 C and a heat flux of about 20 w/sq cm. The best performance previously reported was duplicated. By the use of KT silicon carbide for all components of the demonstration diode heater, the lifetime of the heater was extended indefinitely. A lifetime of 80 hr was run, and the components showed no signs of corrosion or change in performance. Materials Development and Evaluation: Data of an experiment designed to measure the rate of permeation of gas through a thin Mo capsule coated with Durak-B, are given. These data indicate that H is essentially the only gas that diffuses through the wall.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 28, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0285237
Entities
People
- E. V. Clark
- R. L. Mckisson
- W. R. Martini