EXPLOSIVE MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
Abstract
The objective of this program was to investigate the feasibility of using explosive-driven MHD generators to produce pulses of various time durations and to investigate the feasibility of producing alternating currents. Four principal approaches were investigated: (1) Power densities of 5 times 10 to the 7th power w/m squared were achieved in Comp C4 explosive with copper and iron powder dopants. Detonation zone conductance was increased by three orders of magnitude, with magnetic Reynolds numbers approaching unity. (2) Sixty kilohertz alternating current was generated using segmented electrodes to commutate the current in an explosive-driven MHD channel and the output was transformer coupled to various loads. (3) One millisecond pulses with maximum power outputs of 277 Kw were achieved with 50 grams of seeded propellant. These fuels were successfully ignited using standard 20-mm electrically fired cartridges. (4) A series of pulses were generated in the explosive-driven MHD channel using a multiple charge transport mechanism. Channel pumping downtimes were found to limit this technique to the 10 to 20 pulse per second pulse repetition frequency.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0818887
Entities
People
- Albert H. Peterson
- Charles N.
- Clinton D. Bangerter
- Malcolm S.