Basic characteristics of magnesium, Mg, “combustion” with water vapor were investigated and reported here. The reaction has been proposed as an energy retrieval process that is a part of a solar energy cycle using solar pumped lasers as the energy conversion device. The reaction produces both heat and hydrogen, H2, that can be used either as mechanical (hydrodynamic) or electrical power generation depending on the reaction temperature. This paper describes the dynamics of mechanical power generation where both Mg and H2 combustion energies are retrieved through hydrodynamic motion of water vapor. Dynamics of the reactions are investigated experimentally and compared to a simple model of Mg fuel pellet reaction with water vapor. Both experimental data and theoretical analysis was used to find the optimum mixture ration of Mg and water for momentum generation.
