Compact electric energy storage system based on a powerful pulsed MHD generator

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a numerical study of the operating characteristics and operating modes of an electric power system developed as a multipurpose source of high-current pulses. The system consists of a 50 MW pulsed magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator, which utilizes an advanced plasma-generating solid propellant and comprises a liquid-free superconducting magnetic system, and a step-up transformer, whose superconducting windings serve as an inductive energy storage device with a current amplification up to 500 kA in the secondary winding. The parameters of the working fluid and supersonic flow in the MHD channel and the main energy and mass-dimensional characteristics of the pulsed MHD generator weighing about 5 tons were determined. The electromagnetic and mass-dimensional characteristics of the superconducting energy storage transformer were calculated in a model formulation. The results of numerical analysis of the operation of the system in the single and cyclic modes with a resistive external load of 0.01 Ohm are presented. It is shown that with complete switching of the current to the load in 1 ms, a load current of 480 kA and an energy of about 12 MJ are generated. The dimensions and weight of the system (about 15 tons) allow it to be used in mobile electric power plants.