INVESTIGATION OF MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC POWER GENERATION VOLUME V - THEORETICAL PLASMA CONDUCTIVITY STUDIES.
Abstract
The formulas for the electrical conductivity and diffusion coefficients of a magnetohydrodynamic generator plasma including ion flow are derived. The electron energy equation is developed leading to an expression for electron temperature. These formulas are applied to calculating these quantities in segmented and unsegmented MHD generators. It is shown that in segmented generators these quantities have much more favorable values. The approximate relations based on constant electron collision frequency can lead to inaccurate results, especially in the Hall mobility ratio. The MHD electrode boundary layer is investigated to find the electrode voltage drop. The electron and ion continuity and current and energyequations across the boundary layer are formulated. Due to time limitations, simplified forms of these equations are solved simultaneously with the integral form of the gas continuity, momentum and energy relationships. This leads to profiles of the electric field, electron density, and electron temperature. The electric field is integrated across the boundary layer to find the voltage drop per unit boundary layer thickness. The cathode voltage drop is dependent on the gas temperature profile near the wall. Devices such as roughening or wedges that lead to higher initial temperature gradients should appreciably lower the voltage drop. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0415370
Entities
Organizations
- Pratt & Whitney