A GRAPHITE RESISTANCE HEATER FOR A HYPERSONIC WIND TUNNEL USING NITROGEN
Abstract
A heater system has been developed for a hypersonic wind tunnel which uses nitrogen as the test gas and can operate continuously at Mach numbers up to 20. The major problems encountered in the development of the wind tunnel have been caused by chemical reactions in the heater involving substances other than pure nitrogen and pure graphite. A thin impermeable coating of pyrolytic graphite over the outside of the heater element has prevented the formation of holes in the outer wall, which occurred earlier using uncoated elements. Such coated elements have regularly been used to provide steady gas temperatures up to 5000R. at 1000 psia pressure. An analysis of the heater performance using an energy balance has yielded an empirical formula, in non-dimensional form, which describes the performance of the heater system over its present range of use. The present unit has application also in the heating of other gases.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0611132
Entities
People
- R. P. Shreeve
- S. J. Boersen
- S. M. Bogdonoff
- W. T. Lord
Organizations
- Princeton University