PULSED PORTABLE MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC POWER-SYSTEM PROGRAM

A pulsed portable 15-MWe magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power system, calle d the Pamir-3U, was designed, built, and tested. The system is powered by three solid propellant rocket engines that deliver the working flu id to the MHD channels. The magnetic field was provided by four conven tional, self-excited ellipsoid copper coils. The power unit is self-co ntained and operates independently of any external support equipment, The objective of this program was to provide a pulsed power system cap able of delivering 15 MW of electrical power to the load for a 6- to 1 0-s duration with a total system mass of less than 18,000 kg, During t he program, five preliminary acceptance tests and eight final acceptan ce tests were successfully conducted. These tests achieved the perform ance goals of the program and demonstrated the capability of the Pamir -3U power system in a variety of operating modes.