Thermionic conversion and alloys for high-temperature nuclear space power

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Thermionic conversion and alloys for high-temperature nuclear space power

Morris, J.F. / Jacobson, D.L.

Critical future space missions demand near-gigawatt bursts above multimegawatt maintenance levels. These requirements favor space nuclear reactors feeding thermionic energy conversion. With such power systems very high operating temperatures facilitate radiated waste-heat rejection. Operation at thermal maxima also enables utilization of collision less and oscillating thermionic conversion as well as the conventional arc mode. For all this, advanced-technology ultraalloys based on the maximetal tungsten are essential. And in that vein a promising ultralloy approach combines multipurpose modifiers in eutectics that activate tungsten sintering. Resulting ultralloys comprise tungsten and low-concentration dissolved, reacted, precipitated and/or dispersed refractory additives. Appropriate alloy combination improve not only tungsten performance but also its processing ease, control and effectiveness. Description of these ultralloys and of the improvements they allow in high-temperature thermionic conversion for nuclear space power comprises this presentation.