High B-field, large-area-ratio MHD duct experiments. [Hydrogen-oxygen combustion]

Studies of the effect of area ratio variation on the performance of a supersonic Hall MHD duct have been extended up to area ratios of 6.25/1. It is shown that for a given area ratio there is a combustion pressure above which the power generating region of the duct is shock free and the power output increases linearly with the square of the magnetic field. Below this pressure a shock forms in the duct which moves upstream with increasing magnetic field strength and results in a less rapid rise in power output. 10 figures.