Experimental investigation of cold wall type generating channel by using 1 MW class MHD generator, 2

An experimental study has been made on a 1 MW class MHD generator, ETL Mark II, in order to establish methods for measuring the pressure, potential distribution, Hall voltage, and current distributions along the directions of magnetic field and combustion gas flow, etc. Satisfactory results have been obtained for all the parameters as follows: 1. The pressure distribution in the MHD channel is easily measured with pressure gauges. 2. Water-cooled platinum rods well pick up the potential between the electrodes without obstructing the combustion gas flow. 3. Hall voltages are obtained by measuring the voltages of both anode and cathode to the ground. 4. The current distribution on the electrode is controlled by changing the surface temperature of electrode; this method is effective for the anode, but not for the cathode. The side wall of the channel endures satisfactorily, but the electrode wall on the cathode side is deteriorated by arc spots gathered on the downstream edge due to the Hall effect and combustion gas flow. (auth.)