Report on the MHD performance demonstration experiment
Abstract
Initial experimental results were obtained with the channel configured in the Faraday mode. The resistive loading was selected to give low supersonic velocities over the entire channel length. Tests were conducted at magnetic fields up to 4.1 Telsa (T) (70 percent of design). Up to 23.5 MW of power were produced to date (50 percent of design) for an enthalpy extraction of approximately 9 percent. Several electrical and hardware deterioration problems developed during operation. High voltage electrical failures, such as arcs to ground at several locations at the high voltage end of the system and in the load circuit occurred. Nozzle erosion and significant electrode cap ablation near the channel inlet were also observed.
- Publication:
-
Progress Report
- Pub Date:
- October 1980
- Bibcode:
- 1980aro..reptS....S
- Keywords:
-
- Electrical Faults;
- Energy Technology;
- Magnetohydrodynamic Generators;
- Performance Tests;
- Circuit Protection;
- Electric Arcs;
- Electric Power Plants;
- Electrical Resistivity;
- Energy Production and Conversion