RESEARCH ON NEW CONCEPTS IN ENERGY CONVERSION.
Abstract
This report is intended to review progress in a continuing study of advanced concepts in energy conversion. The objectives of this program are to identify promising new methods of energy conversion, and to carry out the research required to demonstrate their technical feasibility. An exploration has been made of the feasibility of Rankine-cycle space power systems incorporating nonequilibrium magnetohydrodynamic generators. The program comprises two major efforts. One of these has been a study of the electrical behavior of condensing nonequilibrium alkali-metal plasmas. This program seems, for the purposes of nonequilibrium generators, to have reached conclusion. The facility and the techniques that have been developed in connection with this research will be applied to the study of metallic plasmas for other applications. The second major effort is a study of the characteristics of a large nonequilibrium generator. For practical reasons, in the experimental phase of this study, a cesium-seeded helium plasma is being used; however, the information obtained from this work will be directly applicable to generators operating with condensible plasmas. This report gives a brief statement of the status of work on each of these two efforts and presents detailed technical contributions. A generalized method is presented for computing the radiative energy loss, and hence the electrical conductivity, of a two-temperature plasma.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 15, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0815135
Entities
People
- Jack L. Kerrebrock
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology