Initial UTSI-MSU cooperative application of line-reversal instrumentation in a coal-fired MHD combustor

A cooperative University of Tennessee Space Institute-Mississippi State University effort was conducted to measure combustor temperatures in an open cycle coal-fired MHD generator. The Misissippi State University (MSU) sodium line reversal system was employed during runs TP40B-03, TP40B-04 and TP40B-05 of the University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI) Energy Conversion Facility Cell I MHD flow train. The primary test goal was evaluation of electrode cap materials and electrode capping techniques with simulated Engineering Test Facility MHD plasma composition. Reasonable success was achieved in providing over 40 minutes of durability test time. However, at the position in the combustor where optical access was provided for the line reversal measurements the sodium emission doublet could not be identified, preventing employment of the Mississippi State University sodium line reversal technique. The line reversal temperature measurement technique is described and some details of the MSU system used in the TP40B test series are presented. Results are discussed. (WHK)