Experimental Study of a Transpiration-Cooled, Constricted Arc

Abstract

Experimental work with a transpiration-cooled arc is described. An apparatus was developed which verifies the analytical prediction that an electric arc can be confined and constricted by an entirely transpiration-cooled wall. The arc was operated in argon atmosphere with currents ranging from 35 to 160 A. A porous ceramic (ALSIMAG 447) tube was used as constrictor material. The investigations encompass basic trends of the arc, the constrictor performance, and the flow behavior with their mutual interactions. By introducing some simplifying assumptions, a number of formulae, containing observable quantities were derived which are useful for the representation of experimental results and which facilitate their comparison with analytical studies. Three different types of arc characteristics are plotted and used for a description of the transpiration-cooled arc. Results of spectrometric temperature measurements in the arc jet using the 5 mm ID constrictor tube are also included. Details of an improved transpiration-cooled arc arrangement based on previous experience, are described and some preliminary results obtained with this apparatus are reported.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1968
Accession Number
AD0668510

Entities

People

  • E. Pfender
  • E. R. Eckert
  • G. G. Bruber

Organizations

  • University of Minnesota

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Boundary Layer
  • Contracts
  • Electric Arcs
  • Flow Rate
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Governments
  • Heat Transfer
  • Measurement
  • Porous Materials
  • Pressure Distribution
  • Pressure Gradients
  • Temperature Gradients
  • Thermal Conductivity
  • United States
  • Voltage

Readers

  • Plasma Physics.
  • Theoretical Analysis.