Development and characterization of the magnetic plasmatron

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the plausibility of developing a low current plasmatron fuel reformer that utilizes magnetic fields to hydrodynamically induce spin of the arc discharge. The proof of principle, development, design, and characterization of the device are discussed. Important parameters for fuel reforming are determined. Comparisons are made between this device and other applications of this atmospheric glow discharge. After a thorough investigation, it has been determined that utilizing magnets to generate a mirror type magnetic field geometry can significantly improve the performance characteristics of the plasmatron. In addition, the effective dynamic range of the device can be increased dramatically by utilizing this magnetic field geometry.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Physics.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2004

Author dc:creator

• Anziani, Felipe Rene, 1981-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Leslie Bromberg and Ricard Temkin.

• Physics.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/32760

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/32760