thermal equilibrium conductivity and duct velocities. Considering the product u2 X B2, it is apparent that a light working fluid should dominate the thermal properties and the UF4 fraction should be small. Additional conductivity enhancement might be needed from thermal ionization of suitable seed materials, and from nonequilibrium ionization by fission fragments and other ionizing radiation produced by the fissioning process. These last ionizing mechanisms are a ‘free bonus' of yet unquantified magnitude that can both increase nonequilibrium electron density and temperature. In contrast, externally-induced nonequilibrium ionization has not been successful in commercial MHD generators due to cost and recombination losses. 3.0 Conclusions and Future Direction A diagram of a baseline UTVR-MHD Rankine System, presently being investigated by several INSPI institutions to rapidly focus on the most promising fuel-working fluid mixture, is shown in Fig. 1. The T-S diagram for this cycle is shown in Fig. 2. Based on the research performed by INSPI's team of investigators, the following summarizes the technical features of the power system concept selected for in-depth study. A major research program on ultrahigh temperature reactors with magnetic conversion is planned to address the scientific, technical and programmatic issues of this concept. The major elements of this program are shown in Fig. 9. A core of fundamental and applied research tasks would be linked to provide a science-technology base for ultra- high temperature, fission-driven, space power research and development. In particular, this research would focus on fundamental issues needing definition to establish the proper task sequence for a major UTVR-MHD experimental effort that would lead to a design of a space power system with order of magnitude improvement over present solid-fueled reactors.
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