BASIC RESEARCH ON GAS FLOWS THROUGH ELECTRIC ARCS-HOT GAS CONTAINMENT LIMITS
Abstract
Extensive measurements in a "cascade" type arc research apparatus were carried out with four gases (hydrogen, helium, ammonia, and argon), covering both the inlet region and the fully developed region of the coaxial flow discharge. The inlet (gas heater) region results for three gases were compared with the Stine-Watson first order theory. To estimate the ultimate technical limits of arc gas heater performance the well known approximate theories for the fully developed arc column (Parabola and Bessel Models) were extended to include radiation and, (for the high current regime) the self-magnetic pressure gradient. Hot gas containment limits (highest radially averaged outlet enthalpy vs. pressure) were calculated for air, for a range of allowable wall heat loads (0.1-10 kw/sq cm). It is concluded that: (1) Heat loads from mechanisms other than the simple hot gas containment (e.g. electrode heat loads, local secondary arcs, etc.) have so far limited the enthalpy pressure values achieved. (2) Gas heater performance substantially above the 1961 state of the art curve appears technically possible, with optimum designs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0600798
Entities
People
- G. L. Cann
- R. A. Moore
- R. D. Buhler
- R. L. Harder
Organizations
- Xerox