Three-Dimensional Numerical Modeling of Magnetohydrodynamic Augmented Propulsion Experiment

摘要

Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) augmentation of thermal propulsion systems has been suggested as a plausible means of boosting exhaust velocity, and possibly improving overall specific energy attributes. In this way, one might hope to reduce fuel fraction and shrink vehicle size without sacrificing payload delivery capability. To obtain a meaningful improvement in fuel fraction, however, it can be shown that the electrical augmentation power must be greater in magnitude than the thermal power of the unaugmented source. Such considerations lead to some extremely daunting technical challenges, particularly in relation to the development of an onboard electrical power source with adequate power density characteristics. Nevertheless, several technological avenues can be identified that someday may lead to innovative, compact, high-power electrical energy sources possessing the required attributes, and exploratory pursuit of fundamental technical feasibility is not without credible justification. Moreover, MHD accelerator technology has potential dual use application in ground-based hypersonic wind tunnel facilities where the electrical power source weight is of little or no concern.