Fire walls for open-cycle MHD generators: Fire-surface reconditioning and the choice of thermal operating conditions

A new method for zirconium dioxide surface restoration on the fire walls of a MHD generator channel is proposed, that is very important for long-operating MHD generators with high temperatures and plasma flow rates. The first experimental studies have been carried out. A theoretical analysis of the combined electrode characteristics has demonstrated a remarkable decrease in heat flows in the course of zirconium dioxide deposition, as well as a considerable Joule heating in interelement spaces restricting the allowable thickness of the deposited films.