EFFECT OF IMPURITIES OF CESIUM FUEL UPON ION ENGINES.
Abstract
This report deals with the effect of selected contaminants on the ionization behavior of cesium flowing through a porous tungsten surface. The measurement criterion is critical temperature, where the degree of ionization abruptly rises from a negligible level to a value approaching 100%. The impurities studied are sodium, potassium, and oxygen, all at the 0.3% levels. The effect of sodium and potassium is to raise the critical temperature, whereas oxygen has no effect. Flow rate studies over a limited range have shown that critical temperature is adversely affected by increased flow. An attempt to cancel the adverse effect of the alkali metal impurities by controlled oxygen addition indicated some success, but the effect observed may be within the limits of experimental error. A number of areas for future investigation are suggested. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0603631
Entities
People
- B. A. Free
Organizations
- General Electric