Electrolytic Capacitor Current Pulse Networks for Quasi-Steady MPD Arcs

A simple model of an equal element LC ladder network containing electrolytic capacitors as the energy storage components is presented, and the current waveform predicted by the model for the case of the network discharging through a fixed inductive-resistive load is shown to agree with an experimentally observed waveform. The effect of the series resistance associated with electrolytic capacitors on the efficiency of energy transfer from the network to the load is determined. Using these results, the mass of a power source-pulse network system containing electrolytic capacitors is compared to that of a system which contains nonelectrolytic units and transfers the same power to a quasi-steady MPD arc load. Results of this comparison based on a state-of-the-art component specific masses indicate electrolytic systems are less massive than conventional systems, particularly at low power, long pulse duration conditions.