Axial Current Leakage in Segmented MHD Generators.
Abstract
Experiments were performed in a segmented MHD generator with an argon-nitrogen-NaK plasma to investigate the phenomena of axial current leakage between adjacent electrodes. Non-equilibrium phenomena were diminished by the addiion of nitrogen which comprised up to 20% of the total flow. Electric and magnetic fields were applied with maximum transverse current density of 2 amperes/square cm and maximum Hall parameter of 6. The generator was composed of six tungsten electrode pairs inserted into a rectangular quartz channel. The measuring or test electrode was electrically guarded and relaxation effects minimized by three upstream electrode pairs and two pairs downstream. The anode and cathode of this 'test' electrode were divided into three segments each and the current direction and magnitude measured at each segment. Axial current leakage was indicated by reversal of current direction in one or more of the segments. Simultaneous measurements of Hall voltage between adjacent electrode pairs were obtained and voltage probes were installed in the quartz side wall between the test electrode and the pair immediately upstream to measure voltage profiles in the plasma. Axial current leakage between adjacent electrodes was measured and found to be a function of increasing transverse current density. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0726630
Entities
People
- John Carl Cutting
Organizations
- Stanford University