A STUDY PROGRAM ON CESIUM VAPOR-FILLED THERMIONIC CONVERTERS HAVING IRIDIUM EMITTERS
Abstract
An extensive mapping of the performance of cesium vapor-filled energy conversion devices was obtain for the high vacuum work function emitter materials, iridium and rhenium, for the interelectrode gap of 0.030-in. Characteristic current-versus-voltage curves and summaries of the output power density and efficiency are given for the emitter temperature ra ge of 1550-2000 K and the cesium temperature range of K. The data show a systematic superiority of iridium to rhenium Tests with a platinum emitter device confirm the trend of good performance in cesium vapor with high vacuum work function emitter materials. Data is given showing a highly precise agreement between two iridium filament emitter devices and an electron bombardment heated device with iridium emitter. At the emitter temperature of 1700 K, liquid cesium temperature of 525 K, and interelectrod gap of 0.030-in., the output power density of the three devices was 5.6 ! 0.2 w/sq cm. and the energy conversion efficiency was 14.25 +- 1.25%.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0296020
Entities
People
- A. J. Kennedy
- D. S. Trimmer
- M. E. Talast
Organizations
- Glenn L. Martin Company