Experimental Research on a 400 kW High Power Density MHD Generator

Abstract

An MHD Generator Facility was designed, constructed and placed in operation. The Facility is described and operating, maintenance, safety and calibration instructions and procedures are given. The Facility was utilized to measure conductivity of hydrocarbon-oxygen combustion gases seeded with cesium salts. A factor of two improvement in electrical conductivity as compared with potassium seeding was observed. A high specific power output (0.5 MW/kg/sec) MHD generator at the 300-400 kilowatt output level was designed and built for cyanogen-oxygen operation. The design of the generator is described, as are the modifications to the AERL Mark II facility which were required in order to test the generator. In spite of the system imperfections encountered the ability of an MHD generator to produce high specific output in the submegawatt power range with conventional hydrocarbon fuels was conclusively demonstrated.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1971
Accession Number
AD0725739

Entities

People

  • J. Teno
  • J. W. Lothrop
  • O. K. Sonju
  • S. W. Petty

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Boundary Layer
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Combustion
  • Combustion Products
  • Cyanides
  • Electrical Conductivity
  • Electrical Properties
  • Hydrocarbon Fuels
  • Material Degradation Processes
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Measurement
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Pressure Distribution
  • Test Facilities

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Plasma Physics.