Characteristics of the MHD Diffuser With Various Commutations of Current

** The present work extends a series of studies treating the effects of the electric and magnetic fields on a flow in supersonic diffuser. The point of this work is a search for degree of correlation between the changes in shock -wave configuration arising at the diffuser inlet and contributions of external force and energy as well as a loss, therewith, in total pressure. With this purpose, the main characteristics of the shock -wave structure and total pressure at the diffuser outlet are measured under magnetic and electric fields of different values affecting the flow and at various modes of current supply. As the experimental setup a shock tube with reflecting nozzle and supersonic diffuser is used. The studies ar e performed in Xe provided that the flow is affected by the external fields at the inlet section of the diffuser. Flow visualisation is accomplished with shot filming of a schlieren pattern of the flow. Pressure is measured with the calibrated piezo -probe. The results of the work offer the best optimum variant of the flow control in terms of energy consumption and total pressure loss in the diffuser of given configuration.