Preliminary Analysis of the Core Factors for Improving Efficiency of Thermionic Energy Conversion

Ni Wentao; Luo Qi; Zhong Wuye; Lyu Zheng

doi:10.13832/j.jnpe.2024.04.0134

Volume 45 Issue 4

Aug. 2024

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Ni Wentao, Luo Qi, Zhong Wuye, Lyu Zheng. Preliminary Analysis of the Core Factors for Improving Efficiency of Thermionic Energy Conversion[J]. Nuclear Power Engineering, 2024, 45(4): 134-141. doi: 10.13832/j.jnpe.2024.04.0134

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Ni Wentao, Luo Qi, Zhong Wuye, Lyu Zheng. Preliminary Analysis of the Core Factors for Improving Efficiency of Thermionic Energy Conversion[J]. Nuclear Power Engineering, 2024, 45(4): 134-141. doi: 10.13832/j.jnpe.2024.04.0134

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Preliminary Analysis of the Core Factors for Improving Efficiency of Thermionic Energy Conversion

doi: 10.13832/j.jnpe.2024.04.0134

Ni Wentao^1
,,
Luo Qi²,
Zhong Wuye^{1
,
,},
Lyu Zheng¹

1.
China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, 102413, China
2.
Committee on Science and Technology of China National Nuclear Corporation, Beijing, 100822, China

Received Date: 2023-08-28
Rev Recd Date: 2023-10-13
Publish Date: 2024-08-12

Abstract

Abstract

Efficient thermionic energy conversion technology is the key technology for improving the thermoelectric conversion efficiency of thermionic fuel elements and promoting the space thermionic reactor power supply towards higher power and longer lifetime. To explore the key factors that improve the efficiency of thermionic energy conversion, this article starts from the basic principle of thermionic energy conversion and summarizes the methods to improve the thermoelectric conversion efficiency of thermionic fuel elements from three aspects: improvement of the emitter, improvement of the collector, and reduction of arc voltage drop. Analysis shows that the clear direction for significantly improving thermoelectric conversion efficiency is the improvement of the collector, and the key is the development of a new generation of low absorption cesium work function collector materials.
- Efficient thermionic energy conversion technology,
- Thermionic fuel elements,
- Thermoelectric conversion efficiency,
- Collector material

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References(47)

References

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