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ELECTRON HEATING IN MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC POWER GENERATORS

Journal Article · · ARS (Am. Rocket Soc.) J.
OSTI ID:4789850
Electron heating arising from the induced electric field is theoretically analyzed in three different idealized directcurrent MHD generator geometries. It is shown that the electron temperature can be considerably higher than the initial stagnation temperature of the gas. For conditions of electron heating, the current, electrical conductivity, and power density are calcuiated in a mixture of argon and 1% potassium in a segmented-electrode geometry. The calculated electrical conductivities and power densities are higher by one to two orders of magnitude than those achieved in MHD generators using combustion gases, but at a much lower temperature. These results indicate a possible method of solving two of the major problems of MHD power generation, viz., electrical conductivity and gas temperature. (auth)
Research Organization:
General Electric Co., Philadelphia
NSA Number:
NSA-16-027761
OSTI ID:
4789850
Journal Information:
ARS (Am. Rocket Soc.) J., Journal Name: ARS (Am. Rocket Soc.) J. Vol. Vol: 32
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English

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