MHD linear generator modelling

Abstract

The performance of typical magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) linear generators are evaluated as function of the excitation magnetic field profile. Using a three dimensional (3D) lumped parameter model, able to simulate all major physical MHD energy conversion phenomena, a parametric analysis has been pointed out for various saddle shaped superconducting (SC) coils. For each type of MHD linear generator (Faraday, Hall and diagonal connected generator) the output electrical power has been correlated to the magnetic field characteristics and it has been compared with an ideal flat magnetic field profile in order to quantify the decay of the energy conversion efficiency.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>