Load change characteristics of the discharge structure in noble gas MHD channels

Journal Article · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · AIAA J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2514/3.8643· OSTI ID:6541193

Hara, T; Umoto, J

The two-dimensional, time-dependent behavior of the inhomogeneous plasma in nonequilibrium MHD generators has been numerically calculated. The development of streamers as typical discharge structures is simulated. A cesium-seeded argon plasma is considered. The numerical conditions used in the calculations are set equal to the experimental conditions used in the Eindhoven shock tube facility. It is found that under conditions of relatively large load resistance, an ionization instability occurs in the channel and the final discharge becomes inhomogeneous, wherein a streamer structure is formed. When the load resistance is decreased to a certain value, an almost homogeneous and stable discharge is eventually achieved throughout the channel, even though at the first moment the ionization instability has occurred and streamers have been formed in the channel. Once they are formed, the streamers grow wider and cover the entire region of the channel. The effective electrical conductivity in this case approaches the ideal value of the electrical conductivity calculated from the assumption of no instability. This indicates the possibility of obtaining a plasma with a homogeneous and stable discharge in the channel by selecting the appropriate load condition. By further decreasing the load resistance, both cesium and argon ionize in some parts of the channel and the discharge structure in the channel becomes inhomogeneous. 16 refs.

• Research Organization: Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
• OSTI ID: 6541193
• Journal Information: AIAA J.; (United States), Journal Name: AIAA J.; (United States) Vol. 22; ISSN AIAJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640430* -- Fluid Physics-- Magnetohydrodynamics
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELEMENTS
FLUID MECHANICS
FLUIDS
GASES
HYDRODYNAMICS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MECHANICS
MHD GENERATORS
NONMETALS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLASMA JETS
RARE GASES
STABILITY
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS