Model for Grain Growth in AMTEC Electrodes Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology

Format:

Conference/Event

Author/Creator:

Shields, Virgil B., author.

Conference Name:

34th Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference (1999-08-02 : Vancouver, Canada)

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Warrendale, PA SAE International 1999

Summary:

The power produced by an AMTEC is dependent on the porosity of the electrode layers deposited on the surface of the BASE tubes. The elevated temperatures at which these power generators operate result in a slow growth or coalescence of the grains that comprise the electrode layers thereby reducing porosity and effective surface area. The lifetime of AMTEC electrodes is therefore related to the rate of grain growth of the electrode material. A preliminary model has been developed to determine the rate of grain growth over the operational lifetime of an AMTEC. This model examines the conditions for continuous growth as a function of the relative sizes, boundary and activation energies and mobilities of the grains. An assumption of strain-free growth has been made in determining the factors for normal growth. Experimental measurements for titanium nitride alloy electrodes are compared with this model. Predictions are made for performance lifetimes out to 10 years

Notes:

Vendor supplied data

Publisher Number:

1999-01-2703

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license