High Pulsed Power, Self Excited Magnetohydrodynamic Power Generation Systems

摘要

The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility of achieving high power, high energy, repetitive pulses over a multi-second period, using a portable, self-excited, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator system. To assure a compact, portable system, a room temperature MHD magnet, and operation without a supersonic diffuser was assumed. The approach selected was to use a cw, self-excited, MHD generator to provide the power for the magnetic field in a shaped explosive, argon plasma, MHD generator. The latter's output power pulses are converted in a pulse shaping network to the ultimate load. For the cw generator, a novel system consisting of a non-equilibrium MHD generator, with a noble gas working fluid, and heated directly with a high energy chemical fluid, was used. A novel, compact room temperature magnet was used with the cw MHD generator. This generator's system power output per unit volume and per unit total system weight is much higher than the values obtainable in high energy liquid or solid rocket fuel driven, combustion MHD generators. Among the barrier problems to the use of the shaped explosive, argon plasma MHD generator is survival of all the components for more that one pulse. It was found that the use of the novel cw MHD generator system directly with a pulsed forming network, and completely eliminating the explosive generator, resulted in a superior system performance compared to the best levels projected with advanced explosive and combustion MHD generators. Keywords: Explosive magneto hydrodynamics, Metal fuel combustion. (JHD)