Abstract
The limiting current-voltage characteristics, electronic efficiency, and the efficiency taking account of the radiative heat losses from the emitter for a diode thermionic energy converter operating in the regime of a low-voltage arc discharge are calculated. It is shown that for low-temperature energy converters (emitter temperature 1300-1600 K, current density 2-4 A/cm 2 ) the efficiency does not exceed 20% even at low collector temperature - half the emitter temperature. The requirements for the work function of the electrodes that must be satisfied to obtain the limiting characteristics are determined. The relations and computational results obtained can be used to develop advanced thermionic power-generation facilities.
Published Version
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