Evaluation Of A Thermionic Energy Converter Using Film Boiling Liquid Metal PDF Download

The conventional plasma thermocouple or thermionic energy conversion diode has a solid metal anode. Cesium vapor at a pressure of a few millibars or less is widely used to provide ions for electron space charge neutralization. Usually, conditions are such that a monolayer of cesium coats the anode, so that electrically the anode appears to be Cs. This suggests the use of a diode with a liquid metal anode material such as cesium, rubidium, or potassium, and their alloys. Recent experiments showed that a diode, consisting of a hot cathode and a liquid metal anode separated by the vapor film created in film boiling, can be produced. Data are given. Experiments investigating the electrical characteristics of film boiling using water are described.