MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC POWER GENERATOR FEASIBILITY STUDY

Abstract

The feasibility was investigated of generating large quantities of power by magnetohydrodynamics. The required characteristics of the generator included an output of 1000 mw at 1500 v, capability of starting within 10 sec, ability to operate continuously for periods between 10 sec and 1/2 hr, and a total life of 20 hr. A generator was designed to produce a net output of 1000 mw in an MHD section 20 feet long. Total generator length including exhaust ducts was less than 80 feet. The plasma was created by seeding the combustion products of a hydrocarbon fuel and O with KNO2. The magnetic field is produced by a copper-coil electromagnet which is cooled by liquid O to reduce the electrical heating losses. The studies indicated that the MHD concept is potentially attractive as compared to conventional means of generating power. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1961
Accession Number
AD0257619

Entities

Organizations

  • Pratt & Whitney

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Combustion
  • Combustion Products
  • Electric Generators
  • Electromagnets
  • Energy Systems
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Generators
  • Hydrocarbon Fuels
  • Hydrocarbons
  • Maglev
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Magnetohydrodynamics

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Combustion and Flow Dynamics.
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.