Abstract. Calculations are made of the electron density, electron mobility and electrical conductivity of air combustion products, seeded with potassium, over a range of temperatures, pressures, mixture ratios, fuels and degrees of seeding likely to be of interest in magnetohydrodynamic power generation. The results are presented in the form of a number of graphs.

The electrical conductivity is found to be very sensitive to changes in mixture ratio, at the lower temperatures. A total variation of as much as 2 to 1 in conductivity could be introduced by a 4% change in the amount of air used for combustion, although this effect is not so pronounced at higher temperatures. The maximum gas conductivity is likely to occur when there is an excess of fuel.

Print publication: Issue 3 (March 1964)
Received 25 September 1963