The Cesiator

Cesium vapor sources for the thermionic reactor systems presently under development impose significant design constraints and stability uncertainties. A new type of liquid cesium reservoir has been conceived that maintains a temperature-independent cesium pressure, continuously recirculates cesium vapor through the TFE and purges it of impurities. This device, the cesiator, is based on well-established gas-buffered heat pipe principles. The cesiator offers new TFE design options for fission product/impurity handling that eliminate the need for an intercell insulator-seal and associated failure modes. Cesiator performance requirements are estimated based on data for expected release of fission products and their effect on TFE performance. The effect of design parameters on cesiator performance is described. The basic cesiator concept is validated in mock-up tests