Increasing the Efficiency of a Thermionic Engine Using a Negative Electron Affinity Collector

TL;DR

This paper presents a model for thermionic energy converters with negative electron affinity collectors, showing potential for higher power and efficiency at lower operating temperatures by optimizing collector properties.

Contribution

Developed a new model for TECs with NEA collectors that predicts improved performance and reduced space charge limitations, guiding material and design choices.

Findings

Potential for 1kW power output at over 20% efficiency

Reduced space charge limitation with NEA collector conditions

Predicted performance at sub-1000K hot-side temperatures

Abstract

Most attention to improving vacuum thermionic energy conversion device (TEC) technology has been on improving electron emission with little attention to collector optimization. A model was developed to characterize the output characteristics of a TEC where the collector features negative electron affinity (NEA). According to the model, there are certain conditions for which the space charge limitation can be reduced or eliminated. The model is applied to devices comprised of materials reported in the literature, and predictions of output power and efficiency are made, targeting the sub-1000K hot-side regime. By slightly lowering the collector barrier height, an output power of around $1kW$, at $\geq 20%$ efficiency for a reasonably sized device ($\sim 0.1m^{2}$ emission area) can be achieved.