Accession Number:

ADA008182

Title:

Research on Charged Alkali Colloids for Aerospace Vehicle and Ground Based Power Generation.

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. 10 Feb 72-7 Feb 74,

Corporate Author:

MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECH CAMBRIDGE SPACE PROPULSION LAB

Personal Author(s):

• Solbes,Albert
• Martinez,Manuel

Report Date:

1975-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

121.0

Abstract:

Results of the study of the fundamental physical processes and measurement of properties aimed at predicting the performance of two fluid liquid metal vapor EFD converters are presented. The condensation studies indicate that substantial alkali boiler concentrations 30 cesium are required to produce appreciable homogeneous nucleation in alkali amalgam vapors. The case of heterogeneous condensation about ions is also studied. The results of breakdown studies for amalgam vapor mixtures with helium, nitrogen, and hydrogen show the latest gas to be the most desirable choice for efficient conversion. Generator studies indicate the existence of contact charging of liquid mercury droplets with surfaces of higher work function. The behavior of the generator is seen to depend strongly on the amount of recirculated condensate and current. An analysis is presented for the efficiency of neutralization of charges at the collector.

Descriptors:

• *Electrohydrodynamics
• Energy conversion
• Liquid metals
• Gas discharges
• Nucleation
• Electron density
• Ion density

Subject Categories:

• Electric Power Production and Distribution

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE