Indirect emitter temperature measurement

In-core tests of thermionic fuel elements that seek to determine converter performance and the extent of emitter fuel swelling require accurate knowledge of emitter temperature. A method has been developed for accurately determining emitter temperature based on fitting calculated results to the unignited-mode (diffusion mode) portion of the I-V curve. A computer-based data acquisition and analysis system that enables real-time emitter temperature determination to be done, as well as data archiving for future analysis, is described.<
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