A two‐dimensional transient model of a single cell, long Thermionic Fuel Element (TFE) is developed and its predictions are compared with published calculations and experimental data on steady‐state operation of electrically heated, TOPAZ‐II type TFEs. The operation parameters of the TFE, such as axial distributions of the emitter temperature, emission current density, and the electrode voltage are calculated and discussed. Results show that despite the excellent agreement between the model predictions of the axial distribution of the emitter temperature, its predictions of the maximum emission current density was lower by about 17%. This difference is attributed primarily to the J‐V characteristics in the model, which could be different than those of the TOPAZ‐II TFE, hence additional data on the latter is needed. When compared with experimental data, the model predictions of the electric power output are in excellent agreement with the data at thermal power input of 3.5 kW or higher, but within 10% of the data at lower thermal power.
Two‐dimensional steady‐state analysis of an electrically heated thermionic fuel element
10th SymposiumùSpace Nuclear Power and Propulsion ; 1993 ; Albuquerque, NM, USA
AIP Conference Proceedings ; 271 , 3 ; 1661-1672
1993-01-20
12 pages
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
Transient and Steady-State Analyses of an Electrically Heated Topaz-II Thermionic Fuel Element
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