THE MHD INDUCTION MACHINE

Abstract

The magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) induction machine is analyzed to determine the terminal properties, the power flow relations, and the steady- state performance characteristics. The theory for a machine of infinite length and width is first developed, including velocity-profile effects. Solutions are obtained for laminar (Hartmann) flow in a narrow channel, and numerical results are presented for the arbitrary-channel case. Turbulent flow is treated by using a boundary-layer theory. The influence of finite length on generator performance is also considered. In each case, results are presented in terms of the electrical efficiency and the power density. The performance and design implications of the results are discussed for several examples of MHD induction generators operated on liquid-metal flows. We conclude that over-all efficiencies in the range 70-85% may be attained in practical high-power generators, but that it may not be possible to achieve the lower efficiency limit at power levels below approximately 1 megawatt.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1966
Accession Number
AD0482170

Entities

People

  • Edward S. Pierson
  • William D. Jackson

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Boundary Layer
  • Channel Flow
  • Charge Density
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Computational Science
  • Difference Equations
  • Differential Equations
  • Electric Fields
  • Electrical Impedance
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Fluid Flow
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Geometry
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Reynolds Number
  • Turbulent Flow

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electronics Engineering
  • Fluid Dynamics.
  • Plasma Physics.