Thermodynamic performance of an irreversible MHD power cycle running at constant Mach number

Abstract

SYNOPSIS In this work an analysis is carried out of a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power plant with an MHD generator operating at constant Mach number. The model takes into account the internal irreversibilities of the compressor and MHD generator. General expressions for power output and power density are obtained and compared with the maximum power output and maximum power density, respectively. The thermal efficiency at maximum power output and maximum power density are also obtained. The results show that the use of power density criteria improves effectively the MHD power plant efficiency. It is shown that operating the MHD generator at lower Mach number improves the maximum thermal efficiency and the thermal efficiency at the maximum power output and maximum power density.