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

Corrosion and arc erosion in MHD channels

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6602403

The objective of this task is to study the corrosion and arc erosion of MHD materials in a cooperative effort with, and to support, the MHD topping cycle program. Materials tested in the Avco Research Laboratory/Textron facility, or materials which have significant MHD importance, will be analyzed to document their physical deterioration. Conclusions shall be drawn about their wear mechanisms and lifetime in the MHD environment with respect to the following issues: sulfur corrosion, electrochemical corrosion, and arc erosion. The impact of any materials or slag conditions on the level of power output and on the level of leakage current in the MHD channel will also be noted, where appropriate. The detailed correlation and analysis of data obtained from nearly all of the CDIF tests performed since 1986 has shown that the apparent leakage current flowing through the slag on the channel walls depends upon channel operating parameters in an unexpected way. A comprehensive report of the results obtained to date and a first attempt at their interpretation has been prepared and a copy is attached. The second activity has concerned the examination of electrodes (platinum anodes/tungsten cathodes) by SEM and EDX techniques to determine the nature of the surface degradation. Results of these examinations are reported.

Research Organization:
Montana State Univ., Bozeman, MT (USA). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE/FE
DOE Contract Number:
AC22-84PC70507
OSTI ID:
6602403
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/70507-T3; ON: DE90017889
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English