Accession Number:

AD0652654

Title:

ANNULAR FLOW MGD DEVICE USING POTASSIUM GAS.

Descriptive Note:

Final rept.,

Corporate Author:

ATOMICS INTERNATIONAL CANOGA PARK CALIF

Personal Author(s):

• Guderjahn,C. A.

Report Date:

1966-04-29

Pagination or Media Count:

33.0

Abstract:

The overall objective of the experiment is to demonstrate the feasibility of a MGD thruster or generator which uses heat provided by a nuclear reactor. The principal problem associated with MGD devices powered with reactors is that of providing adequate gas conductivity in the channel. The equilibrium ionization at temperatures compatible with nuclear reactors is not sufficient for operation. However, it is possible in monatomic gases under certain conditions for the ionization to be considerably in excess of equilibrium. Potassium gas was selected as a working fluid as it is monatomic, has a vapor pressure in a useful range, and can be used in a Rankine cycle. An annular flow MGD device was constructed and is under test. A description of the device, theory of operation, and test results are provided in the following sections. Author

Descriptors:

• *PLASMA ENGINES
• *MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC GENERATORS
• NUCLEAR ENERGY
• NUCLEAR ENERGY
• POTASSIUM
• GASES
• FEASIBILITY STUDIES
• IONIZATION
• NUCLEAR REACTORS
• HEAT

Subject Categories:

• Electric Power Production and Distribution
• Plasma Physics and Magnetohydrodynamics
• Electric and Ion Propulsion

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE