Accession Number:

AD0423509

Title:

PRELIMINARY DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE STUDIES OF AN ALKALI METAL VAPOR ARC TUNNEL,

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

NAVAL ORDNANCE LAB WHITE OAK MD

Personal Author(s):

• Fontenot,J. E.
• Levine,D.
• Winkler,E. H.

Report Date:

1963-06-28

Pagination or Media Count:

17.0

Abstract:

The preliminary design and performance of a metal vapor arc tunnel are described. This facility is being developed to study fundamental collisional processing leading to ionization and electronic excitation in gases behind strong shockwaves. Alkali metals will be used in these studies. The present preliminary design and performance evaluation was done with mercury. Utilizing and extending the principle of the Gerdian-type arc, a system is being developed in which the liquid metal is used as electrode material as well as in an arc constricting device so that all electrode-introduced impurity problems are eliminated. Author

Descriptors:

• (*ALKALI METALS
• ELECTRIC ARCS)
• (*HYPERSONIC WIND TUNNELS
• HIGH TEMPERATURE)
• (*ELECTRODES
• MERCURY)
• SHOCK WAVES
• IONIZATION
• VAPORS

Subject Categories:

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE