Review on Enhancing Electrical Conductivity of Seawater

Abstract

Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) propulsion is a new type of water jet propulsion that directly uses seawater as the conductive and propelling medium. Most electrical energy converts into joule heat because of the low electrical conductivity of seawater, which results in low efficiencies and restricts the practical application of MHD propulsion technology. The enhancement of seawater electrical conductivity not only significantly improves the propulsion efficiency, but also promotes the practical development of MHD technology. This paper analyzes the influencing factor of seawater electrical conductivity and its mechanism, then summarizes the methods of enhancing seawater electrical conductivity at home and abroad, finally points out the challenges of enhancing seawater electrical conductivity in MHD propulsion.KeywordsMagnetohydrodynamic propulsionSeawater electrical conductivityHydrated ionsElectrophoretic effect