Accession Number:

ADA002655

Title:

Results of Work on Thermoemission Conversion,

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

ARMY FOREIGN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER CHARLOTTESVILLE VA

Personal Author(s):

• Karetnikov,D.

Report Date:

1974-05-20

Pagination or Media Count:

5.0

Abstract:

The paper reports that tests of the TOPAZ-3 thermionic reactor, similar in design to its 2 predecessors, began in 1972. By 1 March 1973, it had operated about 3000 hours at 5-7 kV, and efficiency was 30 higher than that of the first reactors. At the same time, tests of 1- and 5-element generating channels were conducted, with a 5-element channel operating for over 3000 hours at 1.7 Wsq cm. A single element with tungsten-rhenium emitter and niobium collector operated 2670 hours with initial power density of 7 Wsq cm dropping to nearly 3.5 Wsq cm by the end of the test. Unexpectedly great reduction in neutral component concentration was found in theoretical-experimental study of nonstationary cesium plasma. A triode thermionic converter, as a high-temperature thyratron, using a cesium-barium mixture at low pressure can close the circuit at up to 100 V, cathode temperature 1600C, current density up to 20 Asq cm and voltage drop of not over 5 V.

Descriptors:

• *THERMIONIC POWER GENERATION
• USSR
• TRANSLATIONS
• ELECTRIC GENERATORS
• RADIOACTIVE ISOTOPES

Subject Categories:

• Electric Power Production and Distribution

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE