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Why can auxiliary discharge converters use heat from conventional fossil fuels?
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thermionic power converter
Schematic of a basic thermionic converter.
Auxiliary discharge converters can utilize heat from conventional fossil fuels because they are designed to operate at relatively lower temperatures compared to other thermionic systems.
In these devices, an inert gasāsuch as neon, argon, or xenonāis placed between the electrodes. To overcome the space-charge effect that typically hinders electron flow, a third electrode is used to apply a voltage that generates the necessary positive ions. This configuration, which resembles a spark plug, allows the converter to function effectively at temperatures around 1,500 K (approximately 1,200 Ā°C or 2,200 Ā°F), a range compatible with the heat produced by burning fossil fuels.1