Simulated and Measured MHD Generator Performance

Abstract

The MHD generator performance of the high-performance demonstration experiment has been analyzed, using a quasithree-dimensional computer model. Computations performed for the operating conditions of tests 10 and 14 indicate that for both tests the trends and magnitudes of the experimental data for various electrical and gasdynamic variables are in good agreement with the analytical predictions. The variation of the channel performance as a function of the channel wall temperature, surface roughness, load factor, and magnetic field strength is examined, and numerical examples are given. Performance maps showing channel enthalpy extraction vs isentropic efficiency are generated for a range of magnetic field strengths, loading parameters, and electrode surface temperatures. A diagnostic data analysis (DBA) procedure has been developed for further verification of the accuracy of the predictions of the quasithree-dimensional model. In this procedure, the experimental data are used to compute the gasdynamic flow parameters and the boundary-layer voltage drop characteristics in terms of and . The results of this DBA procedure and those of the quasithreedimensional model are in good agreement.