Large Enthalpy Extraction Experiments in a Non-Equilibrium Magneto-Hydrodynamic Generator,

Abstract

A measure of the performance of a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator is the power out/heat in (enthalpy extraction) which must exceed 20% to provide efficient operation in a thermodynamic Brayton, power cycle. For the first time 19.3% enthalpy extraction has been achieved in a supersonic MHD generator operating under non-equilibrium plasma conditions. The power output was 1.82 megawatts. The test gas was cesium seeded neon heated to a temperature of 3520K in a shock tunnel. The MHD channel had an area ratio of six to one and seventy-one pairs of electrodes. The electrodes were at room temperature. Theoretical calculations show that if thermionically emitting electrodes were used, 30% enthalpy extraction could be obtained.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 29, 1974
Accession Number
AD0784288

Entities

People

  • B. Zauderer
  • C. Marston
  • E. Tate

Organizations

  • General Electric

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Electrodes
  • Enthalpy
  • Extraction
  • Generators
  • Shock Tunnels

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Hypersonics
  • Hypersonics - Hypersonic Flight
  • Hypersonics - Hypersonic Flow