Numerical modeling of power generation from high-speed flows. II. Application, analysis, and design

Abstract

The upgraded nonequilibrium magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) solver MACH2 is applied to the modeling of an annular, Hall-type MHD generator that can be employed upstream of a turbojet engine at freestream conditions corresponding to Mach 5 flight at an altitude of 20 km. The simulations demonstrate the feasibility of converting inlet kinetic power to storable electric power on aircraft traveling at supersonic to hypersonic speeds. Using ionization provided by electron-beam guns and a radial magnetic field B = 3T, the generator is shown to produce a maximum of 4.8 MW of electric power while reducing the total kinetic power of the flow by 31%. Optimizing the loading parameter, K*Load, across the electrodes demonstrates that the generator could produce 1.54 MW of excess electric power that can be stored and used for on-board power requirements. Additionally, the reduction in flow kinetic power results in an increase in static pressure of 30% and a reduction in stagnation temperature of 3% at the turbojet’s compressor inlet, aiding the subsequent process of combustion and allowing for operation of the turbojet at higher velocities.