Title :
Design of a ten megawatt rocket driven disk MHD generator
Author :
Solbes, A. ; Weede, J. ; Hession, R. ; Mitchell, P.
Author_Institution :
TRW Inc., Redondo Beach, CA, USA
Abstract :
A description is given of a 10 MW rocket-driven MHD (magnetohydrodynamic) disk generator system that has been designed as part of the feasibility study of multimegawatt MHD space power systems for Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) mission applications. The experimental system consists of a plasma generator/injector, a supersonic nozzle, a parallel-wall disk channel, and a diffuser. The magnetic field is provided by a heat sink cryogenic magnet coil. Facility support systems include a reactant feed system, a cooling system, and the required instrumentation and control system. The fuel is an aluminum-monomethylhydrazine gel. The oxidizer is a potassium nitrate-IRFNA solution. Fabrication of the system components was initiated early in 1989. Testing is planned for the second half of 1989
Keywords :
magnetohydrodynamic convertors; military systems; space vehicle power plants; 10 MW; SDI; Strategic Defense Initiative; heat sink cryogenic magnet coil; magnetic field; rocket driven disk MHD generator; space power; Coils; Cryogenics; Heat sinks; Magnetic fields; Magnetohydrodynamic power generation; Plasma applications; Power generation; Power systems; Rockets; Space missions;
Conference_Titel :
Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, 1989. IECEC-89., Proceedings of the 24th Intersociety
Conference_Location :
Washington, DC
DOI :
10.1109/IECEC.1989.74600
