The alkali metal thermoelectric converter (AMTEC) is a device for direct conversion of thermal to electrical energy [1-4]. This system is characterized by high power density and high efficiency. AMTEC contains sodium as the working fluid and is divided into a high temperature region (900-1300 K) and a low temperature region (400-800 K) by a /3"-alumina solid electrolyte (BASE) separator. In the high temperature region, sodium contacts with BASE and ionizes at the interface. The Na+ ion produced is transmitted through BASE to the opposite side and recombines with an electron on the electrode (cathode) to produce sodium. The sodium vaporizes into vacuum and condenses on the condenser in the low temperature region. In the continuous operation, condensed sodium is circulated by pump to the high temperature region. AMTEC's driving force is the difference of sodium activities or vapour pressures between the high and low temperatures.
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