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Anode power deposition in applied-field MPD thrustersAnode power deposition is the principle performance limiter of magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thrusters. Current thrusters lose between 50 and 70 percent of the input power to the anode. In this work, anode power deposition was studied for three cylindrical applied magnetic field thrusters for a range of argon propellant flow rates, discharge currents, and applied-field strengths. Between 60 and 95 percent of the anode power deposition resulted from electron current conduction into the anode, with cathode radiation depositing between 5 and 35 percent of the anode power, and convective heat transfer from the hot plasma accounting for less than 5 percent. While the fractional anode power loss decreased with increasing applied-field strength and anode size, the magnitude of the anode power increased. The rise in anode power resulted from a linear rise in the anode fall voltage with applied-field strength and anode radius. The anode fall voltage also rose with decreasing propellant flow rate. The trends indicate that the anode fall region is magnetized, and suggest techniques for reducing the anode power loss in MPD thrusters.
Document ID
19920071410
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Myers, Roger M.
(Sverdrup Technology, Inc., Brook Park; NASA, Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Soulas, George C.
(Ohio State University Columbus, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
July 1, 1992
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 92-3463
Accession Number
92A54034
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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