Performance of thermochemically driven MHD converters

Shimshon Frankenthal*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A slug model for the MHD pulse generator is presented, and the assumptions inherent in it are discussed. In the limit where magnetic diffusion can be ignored, it is shown that the model is governed by a third-order system of differential equations, which is presented cast in a dimensionless form and analyzed. The dimensionless parameters that determine the performance are denned and employed in cataloguing the various modes of operation of the system. It is shown that unit conversion efficiency is possible for a wide range of combinations of the system parameters. The role of the load parameter (the ratio of the load resistance to the total circuit resistance) in optimizing the performance is discussed. In a particular mode of operation, the compression of the magnetic field by the slug gives rise to the possibility of operating the device at a reasonable conversion efficiency even though the initial (imposed) magnetic field is small. The excitation requirements in this nearly “self-excited” mode are determined by the inductive component of the load.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)993-1000
Number of pages8
JournalAIAA Journal
Volume6
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1968
Externally publishedYes

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