FIELD: thermionic conversion reactors with core incorporating thermionic power-generating assemblies. SUBSTANCE: reactor tests of thermionic assemblies include evacuation of thermionic assembly, supply of cesium vapor from vapor source to electrode-to-electrode gaps of thermionic assembly through heated cesium and vacuum path provided in vacuum safety space of loop channel. Periodic tightness tests are conducted by supplying neutral gas at pressure higher than operating pressure of cesium vapor. Upon admission of neutral gas, poor tightness points are recorded while raising temperature of thermionic assembly can for short time; to this end, neutral gas is fed to safety space of loop channel. If poor tightness of cesium-vacuum path is detected , tests are continued while uninterruptedly feeding neutral gas to safety space at pressure equal to or higher than operating pressure of cesium vapor. EFFECT: provision for conducting tests in case of poor tightness of cesium-vacuum path of loop channel. 2 dwg
