Abstract
The alkali metal thermoelectric converter is a direct energy conversion device, utilizing a high alkali metal activity gradient to generate electrical power. Its operation is based on the unique ion conductive properties of beta″‐alumina solid electrolyte. The major barrier to application of this device is identification of an electrode which can maintain optimum power densities for operation times of >10,000h. Thin, porous molybdenum electrodes have shown the best performance characteristics, but show a variety of time dependent phenomena, including eventual degradation to power densities 3–5 times lower than initial values. Several Na‐Mo‐O compounds, including and , are formed during AMTEC operation. These compounds may be responsible for enhanced Na transport through Mo electrodes via sodium ion conduction, and eventual performance degradation due to their volatilization and decomposition. No decomposition of beta″‐alumina has been observed under simulated AMTEC operating conditions up to 1373 K. In this paper, we present a model for chemical reactions occurring in porous molybdenum electrodes. The model is based on thermochemical and kinetic data, known sodium‐molybdenum‐oxygen chemistry, x‐ray diffraction analysis of molybdenum and molybdenum oxide electrodes, and the electrochemical behavior of the cell.
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