Optimum designs of closed-cycle magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) generator ducts

Abstract

In this paper two design criteria are presented for meeting the specified objectives for the design of a magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) generator duct, for closed-cycle electrical power generation systems. In one criterion the designer chooses to come up with the MPD generator duct design that would yield the maximum average output power density w~/sub e/, hence, the minimum volume of the MPD generator duct. In the alternative criterion the designer chooses to come up with the design that would yield the minimum MPD generator duct length L, hence the minimum magnet length. When following the maximum average output power density criterion, the designer would determine the inlet Mach number M/sub 1/, and the alkali-metal seed ratio E, for his selected bulk noble gas, that would yield the maximum average output power density w~/sub e/ in the MPD generator duct. Alternatively, when following the optimum duct length design criterion the designer would determine the inlet Mach number M/sub 1/, and the alkali metal seed ratio /spl epsi/, for the selected bulk noble gas, that would yield the minimum MPD generator duct length L. The tabulated results show that it is preferable to choose the maximum average output power density design.