Highest enthalpy extraction from CCMHD disk generator with cesium seeded argon

Abstract

Experimental results of the highest enthalpy extraction up to 30.2% are reported. Experiments were carried out using a new shock-tube driven disk MHD generator. The highest enthalpy extraction for cesium seeded argon was achieved when the seed was fully ionized and as a result, an almost uniform discharge was observed. The flow was kept supersonic throughout the MHD channel under the high enthalpy extraction conditions. Furthermore, results of experimental studies on performances of a hydrogen nonequilibrium disk MHD generator for space power system were also presented. Experimental results have suggested that an energy loss factor of hydrogen agrees with existing data. Furthermore, a sufficient enthalpy extraction of 11.8% was demonstrated for cesium seeded hydrogen mixed with 50% argon.