Anode power deposition in quasi-steady MPD thrustersSpatially resolved anode heat flux measurements of a pulsed quasi-steady MPD thruster have been made by embedding thermocouples to the inner surface of a hollowed anode. Results obtained using argon propellant at mass flow rates of 4 and 16 g/s with the thruster operating at currents between 8 and 24 kA are presented. The results show that the anode fall voltage increases linearly with thruster current and does not depend on propellant mass flow rate. The fraction of thruster power deposited into the anode is 42 percent at 1 MW and falls to less than 20 percent at 6 MW. At any given operating condition, there is an inverse relationship between the anode fall and anode current density.
Document ID
19900055573
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Kelly, Arnold J. (Princeton Univ. NJ, United States)
Jahn, Robert G. (Princeton University NJ, United States)
Gallimore, Alec D. (Princeton Univ. NJ, United States)