Over a half-million thermionic test hours were accumulated in the earlier thermionic fuel element (TFE) development program. When the program was terminated in early 1973, TFEs had operated 12500 h with projected three-year lifetimes, and individual laboratory converters operated more than five years with stable performance. Primary life-limiting factors were 1) thermionic emitter dimensional increases due to interactions with the fuel and 2) electrical insulator structural damage from fast neutrons. Multiple options for extending TFE lifetimes to seven years or longer are available.


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    Title :

    Technology status of thermionic fuel elements for space nuclear power


    Additional title:

    Stand der Technik von thermionischen Brennstoffzellen bei der nuklearen Energieerzeugung im Weltraum


    Contributors:
    Holland, J.W. (author) / Yang, L. (author)


    Publication date :

    1984


    Size :

    11 Seiten, 25 Bilder, 14 Quellen


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




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