Measurements of conductivity nonuniformities and fluctuations in combustion MHD plasmas
Abstract
Diagnostics for the characterization of electrical conductivity nonuniformities in combustion magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) plasmas were developed. An initial characterization of nonuniformities in the Stanford M-2 linear generator was obtained and recommendations were made concerning the use of the diagnostics in practical MHD generator configurations. A laser induced fluorescene (LIF) diagnostic for nonintrusive measurements of local conductivity fluctuations was developed. This diagnostic and other line of sight averaged optical nonuniformity diagnostics were successfully demonstrated in several experiments in the Standford M-2 combustion systems. Results were used to characterize the nonuniformities in the M-2 system and to compare and evaluate the diagnostics. Conductivity nonuniformities were found to be predominantly streamers which had relatively long length scales of the order of l m in the axial flow direction. Shortet transverse length scales of the order of 0.1 m were found perpendicular to the flow direction. A combination of LIF and plasma luminosity diagnostics is recommended for future characterizations of conductivity uniformities in combustion MHD plasmas.
- Publication:
-
Ph.D. Thesis
- Pub Date:
- March 1980
- Bibcode:
- 1980PhDT........13K
- Keywords:
-
- Combustion Products;
- Electrical Conductivity Meters;
- Fluorescence;
- Laser Applications;
- Magnetohydrodynamics;
- Nonuniformity;
- Plasmas (Physics);
- Axial Flow;
- Electrical Resistivity;
- Plasma Conductivity;
- Plasma Physics