HIGH TEMPERATURE SOLAR THERMIONIC GENERATORS.
Abstract
The two major goals of the program are: (1) to demonstrate that cesium vapor thermionic con verters operating at temperatures above 1600 C can have a satisfactory life of at least one yeat at efficiencies greater than 15% and at power densities greater than 12 watts/sq cm; and, (2) to demonstrate that such high tempera ture converters can be incorporated into a cavity generator capable of sustained operation at the focal point of a solar concentrator. Toward these goals, a cavity type generator has been extensive ly tested under a solar flux range of 80 to 100 watts/sq. ft. during the first quarter of the program and good correlation of the generator solar performance with previous laboratory per formance has been obtained. Further, an advanced thermionic converter design, fabrication and per formance evaluation has been successfully accom plished and an additional three converters of this configuration are undergoing fabrication. These converters will be subjected to sustained and cyclic life evaluations during the second and third quarter of the program. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 15, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0413409