Thermionic reactor module with thermal storage reservoir

Details Thermionic reactor module with thermal storage reservoir Thermionic reactor module with thermal storage reservoir

1987-03-11

1988-07-05

Kyle, Deborah L.

Induced nuclear reactions: processes, systems, and elements

Combined

With direct conversion means

136202, 310301, 376367, 376904, G21C 340

Patent

active

047553502

ABSTRACT:
A thermionic energy conversion system assembly is described which comprises a fissionable nuclear fuel which surrounds a cylindrical arrangement of thermionic emitter electrodes which surround corresponding collector electrodes, which in turn surround a cylindrical container of a heat sink material, such as lithium hydride, which can absorb large amounts of waste heat energy through a phase change. The heat sink material may also act as a nuclear moderator to reduce the amount of required nuclear fuel. A heat pipe is enclosed within the container of heat sink material to remove waste heat stored in the material. A thermionic energy conversion module is described which comprises 100 stacked-in-series thermionic converter assemblies. A complete space-based thermionic nuclear reactor is described which comprises an array of 91 thermionic converter modules wherein the heat pipes connect to a lithium hydride radiation shield which acts as a further heat sink. The radiation shield connects to radiators to remove the waste heat to space.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3088988 (1963-05-01), Menke
patent: 3362853 (1968-01-01), Valdsaar
patent: 3452423 (1969-07-01), Webb
patent: 3496026 (1970-02-01), Mayo
patent: 3623947 (1971-11-01), Hobson et al.
patent: 3709781 (1973-01-01), Fiebelmann et al.
patent: 3931532 (1976-01-01), Byrd
patent: 3989546 (1976-11-01), Purdy et al.
Anderson et al., Nuclear Applications, No. 6, vol. 5, Dec. 1968, pp. 424-436.
Koenig, 11.sup.th Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, State Line, Nev., U.S.A. (Sep. 12-17, 1976).

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