Chapter 1309 What if...it's not just missiles?
"With plasma..."
Faced with this novel term spoken by Chang Haonan, Han Chenfeng, as a researcher specializing in plasma, did not show confusion like most others.
Instead, I quickly captured the essence:
"That is, magnetic fluid power generation technology..."
This sentence does not use a questioning tone, it is just to confirm your own thoughts.
Therefore, he did not wait for Chang Haonan to answer, and continued almost immediately:
"Foreign research institutions and universities have built several magnetic fluid power generation equipment with different principles, but they are only low-power products with proven properties, and the technical difficulty is not high. You should not need to find someone to take charge..."
Due to the difficulty in generating power generation working fluid with suitable properties and high enough magnetic permeability, the magnetic fluid power stations built by the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War were mainly based on magnetic fluid-steam/gas combined power generation, which used the same coal-fired power plants as ordinary power stations. A boiler or gas turbine generates plasma, which is then introduced into a strong magnetic field to generate electricity.
Speaking of which, the idea is somewhat similar to Chang Haonan's use of aircraft engines to generate plasma and then use it to enhance the stealth effect.
But I also know that the plasma generated in this way is obviously not enough in terms of electron density and energy. Even if it is used for stealth, it can only cover some key positions on the tail of the aircraft.
As for using it to generate electricity...
The effect is of course almost funny.
Although the power of the entire facility can reach tens or even hundreds of megawatts on paper, in reality it is all calculated from mechanical energy, and the part that actually belongs to magnetic fluid is very small.
Not surprisingly, these power stations have all switched to traditional working methods after the research was completed or interrupted...
Therefore, in order to truly obtain magnetic fluid power generation technology with practical value, the key is not the power generation part, but how to obtain a sufficiently effective working fluid...
The analysis process sounds a bit complicated, but when you really think about it, it's just a matter of lightning.
Combined with some rumors he had heard in the past, an idea that could completely close the loop was quickly generated in his mind.
Han Chenfeng took a deep breath, then raised his head and looked at the window next to him——
About 500 meters away, there is a high gray wall that stretches several kilometers long, blocking most of the surrounding sight lines.
But everyone in the know knows that on the other side of the high wall is the core area of Huairou Science City, where the two wind tunnels JF10 and JF14 are located...
"So... you are planning to take advantage of our country's advantages in the field of detonation drive technology, use the detonation drive shock tube as the energy source of the magnetic fluid generator, and use the driven section gas compressed by the strong shock wave as the power generation working fluid , replacing the high-temperature gas generated in the combustion chamber of traditional magnetic fluid power generation devices..."
Although Han Chenfeng has been focusing on unpopular research directions in recent years, resulting in not many top-notch results at hand, and even unable to pass the first round of academician selection, this does not mean that he is a bastard.
Just relying on Chang Haonan's few words and the location chosen for the two to meet, the correct answer was analyzed in a short period of time.
In other words, part of the correct answer.
"It seems that what Lao Liu said is absolutely right...the basic research done by Institute 240 is indeed solid."
Chang Haonan nodded as he spoke, with an expression of approval on his face.
In fact, Liu Yongquan did not make much comments about Institute 240 and Han Chenfeng before, and could only say a few nice words as a routine.
But mentioning the former's name at this time will undoubtedly make the subsequent cooperation between the two parties smoother.
Sure enough, Han Chenfeng's eyes changed slightly.
However, it would be too much to highlight this kind of thing. If it is said too much, it will appear deliberate.
So Chang Hao stopped, and after giving a slight hint, he changed the subject and returned to the topic:
"You are right, but my complete idea is more complicated, and it can be refined into two different branches depending on the loading platform."
He clicked on a diagram on his computer:
"The basic route is to first enter the air flow into the Laval nozzle to achieve pressure reduction and speed up, convert the thermal energy of the gas into kinetic energy, and then introduce the outflowing gas into a Faraday channel to pre-ionize the gas under the action of arc discharge. Of course, this process It is essentially equivalent to a plasma thruster, so it will release some kinetic energy. If you pay attention to some energy conversion efficiency, you can also use this part of the energy, such as blowing a plasma torch to melt materials..."
"After the Faraday channel, the high-speed, low-temperature gas is mixed with the externally introduced fuel and enters the detonation section to achieve efficient release of the chemical energy of the fuel, further increasing the plasma energy in the working medium, and finally enters the magnetic fluid power generation section to complete the equilibrium state During the plasma power generation process, part of the electrical energy is output and the other part is used for arc discharge in the next cycle. ”
Han Chenfeng stared at the schematic diagram on the computer for a while:
"So I need to determine the electron temperature, density and energy of the plasma field of the jet plasma, determine the most suitable working gas and power generation conditions...perhaps also calculate the model parameters of the entire power generation system?"
I have to say that it is really easy to discuss issues with experts.
Because it involves the detonation section and shock tube, Chang Haonan had previously asked Jiang Zonglin and other staff from the Institute of Mechanics to assist in plasma-related research.
Although the work can be carried out normally, it always needs a push.
Unlike now, he only showed a picture, and the other party even understood what he needed to do. "You don't need to do the model parameters for the time being. The most critical process of generating working fluid is detonation, so just leave this part of the work to the comrades here..."
Chang Haonan waved his hand:
"What you need to be responsible for additionally is another thing, which is another option besides the basic route"
He clicked the left mouse button lightly, and the diagram on the computer screen immediately changed.
"Although the power generation principle just now is simple, it can only generate short pulse power with a duration of no more than 100ms. But imagine if the existing detonation section is modified so that it can send out pulse detonation at a certain period, and then the work If the gas is changed from air to a gas that is more easily ionized and recycled, then a periodic potential similar to alternating current can be generated like a conventional generator..."
"..."
Compared with the simple explanation just now, this time, Han Chenfeng did not react immediately, but fell into thinking after silently listening to Chang Haonan's introduction...
It’s not that there’s anything technically incomprehensible——
In fact, there is almost no difference in principle between the two solutions, but the practical difficulty at the engineering level is very different.
What really confused him was the meaning of the latter technology.
After a while, Han Chenfeng still couldn't hold back his curiosity, and Academician Chang seemed to be approachable, so he probably wouldn't be offended by one or two questions:
Check out the 16-9 book bar and see the correct version!
"But Academician Chang... Although I don't know much about wind tunnels, under the premise of the same technical level, the peak energy generated by periodic pulse detonation should be far inferior to that of a single detonation?"
Chang Haonan nodded and motioned for the other party to continue talking.
Seeing this, Han Chenfeng breathed a sigh of relief and made sure that he had not asked a particularly low-level question, so he continued:
"But the biggest advantage of magnetic fluid power generation is that the pulse peak energy is high, which can directly transfer energy to the load without the need for intermediate energy storage components, high-speed rotating parts and high-power switches. If it only provides ordinary high-voltage alternating current, all kinds of ordinary Power stations can meet the requirements, so why use such high-cost technology?”
Chang Haonan did not give a direct answer, but asked with a smile:
"Comrade Chen Feng should know what kind of project development tasks are being undertaken here at Huairou Science City, right?"
"Of course..."
Han Chenfeng replied.
He was from the nuclear industry department, and his confidentiality level was not low. He had been directly invited here by Chang Haonan, so of course he knew about the existence of hypersonic weapons.
"Then what kind of power supply do you think can meet the power requirements of the aircraft for a ramjet engine with a simple structure and lack of rotating parts?"
Chang Haonan was obviously in a good mood and gave up a little bit.
"Of course it's a battery or a fuel cell."
Although Han Chenfeng is not a professional in aerospace, he does not lack common sense:
"Academician Chang, you can't pass my test...On missiles, generally only the control, communication and guidance subsystems require electricity. The demand and start-up time are also limited, and the battery can fully meet the demand..."
However, Chang Haonan didn't seem to be joking:
"I'm not testing you..."
He said and looked at the watch on the wall next to him.
"What if it's not a missile?"
"..."
Before Han Chenfeng could speak again, he heard a knock on the door.
A man of similar age to him was standing at the door of the office, wearing a public-law down jacket from the Aerospace Technology Group:
"Academician Chang..."
Only then did the visitor see Han Chenfeng sitting on the sofa, and he immediately suppressed what he said next.
"It doesn't matter. This is Director Han Chenfeng from the 240th Institute of the Nuclear Industry Group. He is here to help us with plasma-related research."
Chang Haonan explained.
The other party then continued to speak:
"According to your requirements, the waverider aerodynamic model that meets the wide speed domain requirements is already in place and can be tested at any time."
Han Chenfeng was still thinking about the meaning of Chang Haonan's question just now, but suddenly he heard a key word that suddenly enlightened him - the requirement of wide speed range.
In other words, the other party's research goal is not... or it is not just a one-shot deal that can be used under a narrow design condition.
Compared to a missile that just needs to accelerate as much as possible and then hit the target, this requirement seems closer...
A plane?
(End of chapter)