High-performance nonequilibrium-plasma magnetohydrodynamic electrical power generator using slightly divergent channel configuration: I. Calculation

Abstract

We describe quasi-three-dimensional numerical simulations of a high-performance nonequilibrium-plasma magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) electrical power generator using a slightly divergent configuration. The slightly divergent generator provides greater isentropic efficiency (IE) than a highly divergent generator when an identical enthalpy extraction ratio (EER) is obtained. The inherent feature of a small divergent geometry is clarified; MHD energy conversion is accompanied by less entropy production as well as less gas expansion. The orientation of the performance improvement on an IE–EER map is consistent with the theoretically predicted orientation, which is formulated using an algebraic method based on classical thermodynamic results for supersonic compressible fluid dynamics. The power-generating performance indicators, IE and EER, are clearly determined by modified magnetic flux density, that is, the square of magnetic flux density divided by total inflow pressure. A virtual operating condition for a practical closed-cycle MHD system is proposed considering the relationships between the applied magnetic flux density, the total inflow pressure and the total pressure gradient throughout the generator. This paper is the first part of a duology.