Experimental Two-Phase Liquid-Metal Magnetohydrodynamic Generator Program.
Abstract
A new diverging-channel liquid-metal MHD generator with gas injection along the insulating walls was built and placed in operation in late 1974. This generator yielded nearly-constant liquid velocity along the channel for near-design conditions, as desired for best performance. Extensive measurements of the generator terminal and internal parameters were made over a range of gas and liquid flow rates, magnetic field strengths, and load resistance values. Data is given for generator efficiency and load voltages, and the variations along the channel of liquid and gas velocities, pressure, local load factor, void fraction, and slip ratio. Comparisons are made with theoretical predictions. Tests made to evaluate the effectiveness of the gas injection indicated that the generator performance improved slightly as the amount of gas injected was decreased, and that the injected gas was not forming the desired pure-gas wall layer. Following this, air-water tests indicated that this was to be expected, and a one-dimensional computer model indicated that performance should be better without the partial flow obstruction of the gas injection ports. The gas injection ports were removed, and substantial improvement was obtained in generator performance - by far the best to date. Data comparable to that for gas injection is presented for this case. The future directions of the program, including the role of gas injection, and the modifications to the NaK-nitrogen facility are described. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA035245
Entities
People
- E. Pierson
- G. Fabris
- M. Petrick
- R. Hantman
- Renee E. Cole
Organizations
- Argonne National Laboratory