Development, testing, and evaluation of MHD materials and component designs. Volume 1: Executive summary

Results of studies on gas electrical properties, coal combustion, and MHD materials intended to support the Waltz Mill channel experiments are presented. Materials testing indicated that stabilized zirconia should be an acceptable electrode material. Cyclone coal combustors were studied and designs developed for a Waltz Mill size unit and a 25,000 lb/h prototype. The Waltz Mill facility performed in a highly satisfactory manner. Six non generating and 16 load tests were made on three channels. Following a failure of the air heater tests were run essentially on materials and structure. The system was dismantled and reconstruction started to enable testing at the proposed Component Development Integrated Facility. A very successful 127-hour run was made on a pair of US designed and constructed MHD electrode modules in the Soviet Union's U-02 facility.