MHD coal-fired flow facility. Quarterly technical progress report, July-September 1979

Abstract

In this third quarterly report of 1979, the University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI) reports on significant activity, project and task status, planned research, testing, and development, and conclusions with respect to the Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) Coal-Fired Flow Facility (CFFF) and the Research and Development Laboratory. This quarter, work on the CFFF progressed with only minor problems. The weather was generally favorable to most outside work. The extent toward completion for all work presently scheduled is now about 93%. In the chemistry laboratory, experiments with pulverized coal and potassium carbonate (K/sub 2/CO/sub 3/) continued. Data indicated that the pulverizing operation unit could be improved by operating at a slightly higher temperature. Doing this, however, should not be a problem. Continued testing of platinum and iridium cladding on anode caps has shown that these materials seem to perform well. The degradation experienced is acceptable and should not pose any problem. This information will be used in developing more oxidant resistant electrodes. Despite initial promise, the Direct Reduction Seed Regeneration process does not seem to be a viable means of seed regeneration. Detailed evaluation of the Tomlinson-Tampella and Formate processes will begin next quarter.