Axial field limitations in MHD generators. Part 2: Analytical investigation and comparison with experiments
A detailed fluid and electrical model was developed and used to predict the prebreakdown and incipient breakdown characteristics for a simplified configuration. The model shows that an electro-thermal instability, in either the plasma or the interelectrode insulator, was responsible for the breakdown. The predicted values of the threshold voltage, below which breakdown would not occur, were comparable to the experimental values. Detailed comparison of theory and experiment, however, indicates only moderately good agreement, even for the relatively sophisticated model used. Nevertheless, the model can be used to predict the trends of threshold voltage with the channel parameters. Breakdown modeling of the full generator configuration was limited to a coarse electrical solution to simulate the effect of single or multiple breakdowns on the behavior of the surrounding gaps. Moderate success was achieved with the model.
- Research Organization:
- Stanford Univ., CA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6435905
- Report Number(s):
- LOG-E-763
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
300102* -- MHD Generators-- Performance & Testing
ALGEBRAIC CURRENTS
AXIAL-VECTOR CURRENTS
CURRENTS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRICAL FAULTS
ELECTRICAL INSULATION
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MHD GENERATORS
NEUTRON DETECTORS
RADIATION DETECTORS
SPARK GAPS
SYSTEM FAILURE ANALYSIS
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
THERMAL INSULATION
THRESHOLD DETECTORS