Experiments on Pulsed Linear MHD Accelerator

摘要

Effect of cross-section in electrodes on thrust efficiency has been studied by using an MHD accelerator, which consists of a pulsed-power system, an MHD acceleration channel, a permanent magnet, diagnostic system, and a model rocket engine. In order to estimate the thrust efficiency, temperature, velocity of combustion gas and thrust were measured by fitting the radiation temperature assuming blackbody, time-of-flight method and pressure sensor. The results indicated that the thrust efficiency of the pulsed-MHD accelerator is improved when the cross-section of electrodes is decreased. Because the higher current density provides the stronger MHD effect for the smaller electrode area case.