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Which heat sources can power a thermionic power converter?
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thermionic power converter
Schematic of a basic thermionic converter.
A thermionic power converter can be powered by three primary types of heat sources:
- Chemical sources: These include various conventional fossil fuels, which can be utilized particularly in auxiliary discharge converters that operate at lower temperatures.1
- Solar sources: Thermal energy from the sun can be used to heat the emitter electrode to the high temperatures required for thermionic emission.1
- Nuclear sources: Heat generated by nuclear reactors is a common application for these devices, especially in spacecraft where their high reliability and lack of moving parts are advantageous.1