Flash And Real-time Radiographic Diagnostics Of Closed Liquid Metal Combustion For Underwater Propulsion

Progress in diagnostics studies, using flash and real-time radiography, of the behavior of the regions of reaction and of the jet-driven circulating flow in closed liquid metal combustion is presented. This type of combustion, resulting from the submerged injection of a gaseous oxidant into a sealed container of liquid metal fuel, provides the energy source for Rankine cycle propulsion systems being developed for Navy undersea vehicles. X-ray radiographic techniques, including the use of sacrificial probes, are evaluated for their utility to determine characteristics of internal processes in the reaction of the oxidizer SF/sub 6/ and molten lithium fuel. Representative radiographs of operating closed liquid metal combustors are compared and the methods of producing them discussed.