Analysis of processes in nonequilibrium plasma generators for pulsed MHD power systems

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:254647

Novikov, V A ^[1]

---

1. IVTAN-Association of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow (Russian Federation)

The application of a disk channel for pulsed MHD power systems will allow to increase significantly their power density (power per unit weight or volume of the MHD generator). However the application of traditional plasma generators like combustors on a propellant or on a powder-like metalized fuel with combustion temperature about 4000 K and condensed phase (Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}) content of 35-45% mass aggravate still further the problems associated with the channel operation life. This is due to the necessary of a high temperature, high velocity, heterogeneous flow turn through an angle about 90{degrees} and due to the more stringent requirements on an erosion rate of a material of the nozzle throat insert. In this connection, the ideas on development of a nonequilibrium plasma generator (NPG) using direct heating of a noble gas during combustion of a special fuel in oxygen are very attractive for pulsed MHD power systems with the disk channel because the working media at the MHD channel inlet has the stagnation temperature about 2500 K at Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} volume concentration of 5%, that is significantly lower than for traditional plasma generating fuels (PGF), and the electrical conductivity {sigma} more higher than for PGF combustion products.

• OSTI ID: 254647
• Report Number(s): CONF-950697--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
MHD CHANNELS
NON-EQUILIBRIUM PLASMA
PULSED MHD GENERATORS
RARE GASES