Experimental Determination of Magnetohydrodynamic Seawater Thruster Performance in a Two Tesla Test Facility

A two Tesla test facility was designed, built, and operated to investigate the performance of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) seawater thrusters. The results of this investigation are used to validate MHD thruster performance computer models.

The facility test loop, its components, and their design are presented in detail. Additionally, the test matrix and its rationale are discussed. Finally, representative experimental results of the test program are presented, and are compared to pretest computer model predictions.

Good agreement between predicted and measured data has served to validate the thruster performance computer models.