Performance investigation of plasma magnetohydrodynamic power generator

Abstract

magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power generator system involves several subjects such as magnetohydrodynamics, plasma physics, material science, and structure mechanics. Therefore, the performance of the MHD power generator is affected by many factors, among which the load coefficient k is of great importance. This paper reveals the effect of some system parameters on the performance by three-dimensional (3D) numerical simulation for a Faraday type MHD power generator using He/Xe as working plasma. The results show that average electrical conductivity increases first and then decreases with the addition of magnetic field intensity. Electrical conductivity reaches the maximum value of 11.05 S/m, while the applied magnetic field strength is B = 1.75 T. When B > 3T, the ionization rate along the midline well keeps stable, which indicates that the ionization rate and three-body recombination rate (three kinds of particles combining to two kinds of particles) are approximately equal, and the relatively stable plasma structure of the mainstream is preserved. Efficiency of power generation of the Faraday type channel increases with an increment of the load factor. However, enthalpy extraction first increases to a certain value, and then decreases with the load factor. The enthalpy extraction rate reaches the maximum when the load coefficient k equals 0.625, which is the best performance of the power generator channel with the maximum electricity production.