Calculation of the plasma parameters and current-voltage characteristic of a thermionic converter with a multicavity cathode
Abstract
The physical processes occurring in the plasma of a multicavity cathode (MCC) thermionic arc converter are described by a mathematical model. The model describes the qualitative experimental behavior and is used to calculate the current-voltage characteristics of converters under various operating conditions. The characteristics of a smooth cathode converter are compared with those for an MCC converter. The calculated results indicate that the power and efficiency of an MCC converter are roughly three times higher than for a smooth cathode converter and are reached at output voltages some 0.1-0.2 V higher than for a smooth cathode.
- Publication:
-
Zhurnal Tekhnicheskoi Fiziki
- Pub Date:
- April 1984
- Bibcode:
- 1984ZhTFi..54..741A
- Keywords:
-
- Arc Generators;
- Cesium Plasma;
- Plasma Electrodes;
- Thermionic Cathodes;
- Thermionic Converters;
- Volt-Ampere Characteristics;
- Boundary Layer Plasmas;
- Energy Conversion Efficiency;
- Mathematical Models;
- Plasma Potentials;
- Power Gain;
- Energy Production and Conversion