LONG LIFE CLOSED LOOP MHD RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT UNIT,

Abstract

Electric power production in space will require lightweight generators using a nuclear reactor as heat source and a hot radiator as heat sink. Because of its capability for operation at high temperatures and absence of moving parts, the MHD generator is an attractive device. A closed-loop MHD generator and motor research unit was designed and built to produce MHD conditions and to gain experience in the operation of MHD generators suitable for space applications. Component parts of the machine were individually tested before assembly. After assembly the first test used helium and cesium as the working fluid. Future plans include tests with different vapors and duct materials together with the incorporation of non-thermal ionization and possibly superconducting magnets. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1963
Accession Number
AD0427297

Entities

People

  • F. A. Holmes
  • J. G. Desteese
  • R. E. Voshall
  • R. L. Hundstad
  • W. S. Emmerich

Organizations

  • Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Assembly
  • Electric Power
  • Electric Power Production
  • Generators
  • Heat Sinks
  • High Temperature
  • Long Life
  • Manufacturing
  • Materials
  • Nuclear Reactors
  • Production
  • Superconducting Magnets

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Combustion and Flow Dynamics.
  • Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers