Flame Heated Thermionic Converter Research
Abstract
The internal flame heated thermionic converter concept has been shown to be feasible. A hot shell to be used on this type of converter has been tested at a temperature of 1300 deg C for 607 hr and then at 1400 deg C for a total of 640 hr. The shell is still leak-tight. The permeation rate of gas through this type of hot shell is insignificant, being only 0.003 cubic cm (stp)/hr. The successful hot shell is molybdenum coated first with molybdenum disilicide and then with pyrolytically deposited silicon carbide. A burner has also been perfected for the internal flame heated thermionic converter. It employs an internal and an external heat exchanger to salvage flue gas heat. Propane is injected into the combustion chamber where mixing and burning are promoted by a converging flow vortex. Heating efficiencies of up to 56% and burner lifetimes greater than 600 hr at 1300 deg C emitter temperature have been obtained. A conceptual design showing the advantage of using the internal flame heated thermionic converter is presented.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0428094
Entities
People
- W. R. Martini