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A Combustion Oscillator For MHD Energy Conversion
A Combustion Oscillator For MHD Energy Conversion
P = au2B2k (1 -- k),
where a is the electrical conductivity, u the
particle velocity, B the magnetic field strength,
k the loading factor ( = V / u B d ) , V the voltage,
and d the channel width. In the open-cycle system,
the velocity of the combustion plasma is obtained
by expansion through a nozzle with a consequent
reduction in conductivity (due to temperature
565
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566
OSCILLATORY COMBUSTION
7
T=2000~
y=1"4
6
4
O
"~
b
<3
:o-25
1t/2
31I/2
the highest frequency compatible with a reasonable amplitude. Thus, for a gas velocity of 600
m/see in a 1-m-long tube, a wave of 1 kHz frequency will traverse the gas about four times.
4. The wave amplitude should be the largest
compatible with minimum dissipation, due to
shock formation. Preliminary tests indicated the
interdependence of frequency and amplitude-i.e., an increase of frequency usually accompanied
a decrease of amplitude, because the pressurewave-feedback mechanism regulated the combustion energy accumulated for driving the
oscillation.
The combustion oscillator requirements, therefore, were for high-intensity combustion (i.e.,
high gas electrical conductivity) with modulation
of the flow by a longitudinal traveling pressure
wave of relatively high amplitude and frequency.
Schmidt-type (Helmholtz mode) pulsating combustion is normally of low frequency (up to 200
Hz) and valve design is complicated, whereas
higher-frequency rocket-type instabilities fitted
the requirement and use could be made of available technology. It was decided to use a rocket
configuration under conditions such that oscillations (either triggered or inherent) could be
promoted.
To obtain sufficient ionization, a fuel + oxygen
(or preheated a i r ) + seed material system was
required, the most convenient being gaseous fuel
(propane, methane, h y d r o g e n ) + o x y g e n + alcoholic KOH (45% KOH in ethyl alcohol). For
propane, the reaction is
C 3 H s + C 2 H ~ O H + 8 0.~---~5 C O ~ + 7 H ~ O ;
therefore, for a 1-MW input [including 3 % (wt)
of potassium in the combustion products], the
required flow rates are 2.5 ib/min propane, 0.8
lb/min alcoholic KOH, and 10 lb/min oxygen.
Experimental Results
Tests were conducted to determine the conditions and configurations most suitable for
spontaneous oscillations.
FUEL
SPARK PLUG
PRESSURE
TRANSDUCERS
J
18"
RF. PROBES
6"
NOZZLE
567
40"
'I
No. 4
C3He/O2 No 4
JgcT~'1
KOH/EtOH
1-6
AP12
I
AP36
INSTABILITY REGION
-
1.2
0-8
0.4
I
20
40
60
80
Pc PSI A
100
568
OSCILLATORY COMBUSTION
PROPANE / OXYGEN
1Ms
---- cn/2L,
3.6 p.s.i.
-V-
AP12
4,2 p.s.i.
-V-
AP36
PROPANE I OXYGEN.
~ 0.Smho/m
OSClLLOGRAM.
Design Requirements
The M H D channel had to be as large as
possible to minimize viscous dynamic effects,
but as narrow as possible to maximize the field
strength in the magnet gap (i.e., maximum B 2
term in the power-density equation). Also, run
times of the order of minutes were required in this
case to achieve relatively steady fluid and electrical conditions. Thus implied water-cooled,
refractory-lined walls. Therefore, the magnet gap
volume available being 16 X 4 X 289 in., a maximum cross-sectional area of flow of 289 X 11 in.
was decided on, i.e., 3.14 in.2; similarly, to maximize gas velocity (the u s term), without sacrific-
where
p = po(P/Po) (To/T)
= 0.016 lb/ft 3
569
570
OSCILLATORY
COMBUSTION
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571
572
OSCILLATORY COMBUSTION
of the order of 18% of the DC level, the predominant frequency of 1750 Hz corresponding to
the third harmonic of the acoustic frequency. It
was interesting to note that this proportion increased with magnetic field strength.
In conclusion, the oscillatory combustion results showed that the required type of highamplitude pressure waves could be generated
under conditions suitable for MHD energy conversion. The MHD oscillator proved capable of
operating with steady flow for periods of up to
10 rain, but with rather low conversion of thermal
to electrical power. The first pressure oscillations
caused output oscillations which were amplified
by increase in magnetic field strength. Further
work is required at higher pressures to improve
the efficiency of power generation and the amplitude of the pressure waves, the aim being to
effectively couple magnetic interaction with
acoustic modulation.
REFERENCES
1. THRING, M. W.: J. Inst. Elec. Engs. 8, 23~
(1962).
2. IBBERSON, V. J. AND HARRIS, D.: Temperature
and Velocity Modulated Systems, Royal Society
Symposium on MHD Power Generation, Now
1965.
3. IBBERSON, V. J. AND TAYLOR, D. S.: Electrical
Conductivity of Oscillatory Combustion Plasmas,
Ninth Symposium on Engineering Aspects of
MHD, The University of Tennessee Space Institute, April 1968.
4. OLSON,R. A. AND LARY,E. C.: Rev. Sci. Instr.
33, 3350 (1962).
5. HAMER, S. S., AOOSTA, V. D., ANn PESCHKE,
W. T.: "Combustion Instability ia Liquid
Propellant Rocket Engines," Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, Report No. PIBAL No.
891, Jan. 1966.