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The Constant-Mach-number MHD generator

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2006

D. T. Swift-Hook  and
J. K. Wright
D. T. Swift-Hook
Affiliation:
Central Electricity Research Laboratories, Leatherhead, Surrey
J. K. Wright
Affiliation:
Central Electricity Research Laboratories, Leatherhead, Surrey
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Abstract

It is shown that the optimum design of duct in a magnetohydrodynamic generator is close to the one in which the flow Mach number remains constant. This constant-Mach-number generator is analysed in some detail and it is shown that the optimum Mach number can be defined to within a few percent. For a γ of 1·25, this optimum is near 0·85. For very short ducts, the maximum power output is obtained near matched-load conditions but for rather longer ones maximum total power output is obtained by working as close to short-circuit conditions as is practicable. Against this, the minimum compressor requirements are found by working as close to open-circuit conditions as is practicable, and so a compromise must be reached for optimum overall generator design as far as load conditions are concerned. This will probably give an internal ohmic loss in the fluid of about one-third of the total output. Curves are presented which enable the optimum Mach number to be determined with greater precision when the optimum load conditions have been selected.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 15 , Issue 1 , January 1963 , pp. 97 - 110
Copyright
© 1963 Cambridge University Press

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References

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