Conceptual design of the bimodal nuclear power system based on the ‘‘Romashka’’ type reactor with thermionic energy conversion system

Ponmarev‐Stepnoi, Nikolai N.; Usov, V. A.; Nikolaev, Yuri V.; Yeriemin, Stanislav A.; Zhabotinski, Yevgeny Ye.; Galkin, Anatoly Ya.; Avdoshyn, Yevgeny D.

doi:10.1063/1.47126

Cited by 2 publications

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“…Although there were significant advances in the design and methods for realizing TECs exhibiting efficiencies exceeding 15% (Hatsopoulos and Kaye, 1958), there were technical issues not satisfactorily resolved in the scale up, such as cathode stability, maintaining close electrode spacing, collector reflection losses, and magnetic field generation (Schock, 1960). Consequently, the continuation of TEC device development occurred only for use in space exploration where the device complexity and high unit cost could be offset by the savings in payload costs for compact kilowatt electrical power generation (Ponomarey-Stepnoi et al, 1995).…”

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Improving the Efficiency of a Thermionic Energy Converter Using Dual Electric Fields and Electron Beaming

Bickerton

Fox

2017

Front. Mech. Eng.

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Experiments have been conducted on a dual electric grid thermionic device to investigate an alternative method of space charge mitigation in a thermionic energy convertor (TEC). Two electric grids, the attractor and deflector grids, provide opposing electric fields to overcome space charge while minimizing power losses to the attractor grid. Electron beams are formed in the electrode gap providing a more efficient electron transport from hot cathode to collector. The attractor gird can be run in DC or pulse mode which usefully supports transformer coupling for the energy convertor output. This is a simple low cost inter-electrode space charge solution running at low voltage which has the potential to improve TEC efficiency, increase reliability, and reduce the cost of manufacture.

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confidence: 99%