Development of an MHD-Augmented, High Enthalpy, Shock Tunnel Facility

Abstract

Experimental and theoretical studies conducted in support of the development of a high performance, hypersonic/hypervelocity shock tunnel facility (AEDC-VKF Tunnel J) capable of providing thermochemical equilibrium and nonequilibrium flow conditions at high enthalpies are presented. Demonstrated capabilities of the facility with and without magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow augmentation are shown. Increases in the flow velocity from 12,000 to 21,000 fps were obteined using an MHD nozzle accelerator with the flow seeded with potassium carbonate. Good agreemerit is shown to exist between one-dimensional MHD theory and experimental data for two calibrated conditions. Calibration and analysis of the flow in the MHD accelerator channel and in a twostage nozzle system, with and without MHD augmentation, are included. It is shown that quantitative aerodynamic measurements can be obtained in an MHD-augmented shock tunnel facility. A full-scale, impulse-heated, high performance driver (p/sub 4/ = 44,000 psi, T/sub 4/ = 800 deg K) using helium and nitrogen was developed (concurrently but not in conjunction with the MHD shock tunnel) and experimental shock tube data are presented. Projected capabilities of the facility using the high performance driver are included.