EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THE RELAXATION PROCESS AND THE MAGNITUDE OF NON-THERMAL IONIZATION IN A MHD GENERATOR.
Abstract
The aim of this study was (1) to compare the magnitude of magnetically induced ionization in a linear MHD generator with the values predicted by the time independent electron heating equation and (2) to measure the magnetically induced ionization relaxation distance in the MHD generator. Xenon at an initial conductivity of 200 Mhos/m was used for the first part of the study while argon at an initial conductivity of 4 Mhos/m was used for the second part. From the xenon experiments it was determined that the measured electron density and conductivity were in excellent agreement with values computed from the non-equilibrium electron energy equation and the Saha equation at the electron temperature. From the argon experiments it was determined that the ionization process is controlled by the rate of the electrode boundary layer resistance. In addition at the field strength of 26,000 gauss the argon conductivity in the generator increased from 4 Mhos/m to 800 Mhos/m. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0482515
Entities
People
- Bert Zauderer
Organizations
- General Electric