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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

High magnetic field MHD generator program. Quarterly report, October 1-December 31, 1980

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6505958

Progress is reported in an experimental and theoretical program designed to investigate MHD channel phenomena which are important at high magnetic fields. The areas of research include nonuniformity effects, boundary layers, Hall field breakdown, the effects of electrode configuration and current concentrations, and studies of steady-state combustion disk and linear channels in an existing 6 Tesla magnet of small dimensions. In the study of the effects of nonuniformities and instabilities, theoretical models have been further developed and limits of applicability have been established. An improved laser doppler anemometer, which has been designed for turbulence damping and velocity profile measurements, has been tested in the M-2 facility with favorable results. The theoretical model of Hall field breakdown has been modified to include a two-dimensional insulator analysis, along with a detailed description of the plasma flow over the electrode wall. The model has the capability of predicting both insulator and plasma breakdown and has yielded good agreement with the results of breakdown experiments. The performance of electrode configurations with axial conducting fins has been examined using a three-dimensional numerical solution of the MHD electrical equations. Work progressed on the construction of the peg wall disk generator channel, and the main components of the generator test section are now assembled. Theoretical models of boundary layer effects on the insulator wall and the current discharge in the core are being developed. Data from the linear channel experiment at 5 Tesla are being analyzed and interpreted.

Research Organization:
Stanford Univ., CA (USA). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
DOE Contract Number:
AC01-80ET15611
OSTI ID:
6505958
Report Number(s):
DOE/ET/15611-T1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English