MEASUREMENT OF FLUID PROPERTIES FOR MAGNETOPLASMADYNAMIC POWER GENERATORS
Abstract
The major problems in the design of a magnetoplasmadynamic system have been those associated with the gas heater, cesium seeding, helium purification, and helium cesium separation. These problems have now been solved to the degree that reliable operation of the MPD system has been achieved. Operation of the present small MPD system yielded sufficient information to permit design of the large test section which is now under construction. Ceramic and tantalum parts were never subject to severe attack by cesium. The quartz window in contact with the hot cesium-helium mixture was found to devitrify immediately. No attack occurred, however, when the windows were sufficiently cooled. It was necessary, therefore, to remove the windows from direct contact with the hot working fluid. The usefulness of the electron heating effect can not be determined before the 50-cm channel is in operation. As preliminary indications, however, the following observations can be reported. It was not possible to observe an increased electron temperature with load resistance down to 100 ohm. Since the measurements reported in previous quarterly summary reports were made, new numerical results became available. From these results it can be seen that an increased electron temperature can hardly be expected when using a load even as low as 100 ohm.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 17, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0608638
Entities
People
- R. T. Schneider
Organizations
- General Motors