Magnetohydrodynamic energy conversion

APR 01, 1963

This discussion of the techniques, advantages, and future prospects of generating electrical power by magnetohydrodynamical means was originally presented at the APS New York State Section’s symposium on plasma physics. The author is associated with Aeronautical Research Associates of Princeton, Inc., and with the Plasma and Space Applied Physics Group at RCA’s David Sarnoff Research Center.

DOI: 10.1063/1.3050875

J. E. McCune

Although the title of this paper, as chosen originally, is broad enough to allow consideration of both magnetohydrodynamic generators and accelerators, the present discussion will be limited to MHD power generators. The subject of plasma propulsion (MHD accelerators) is discussed in another paper presented in this symposium [see Physics Today, March 1963, p. 24].

References

1. Rosa, R. J. “Engineering Magnetohydrodynamics,” PhD Thesis, Cornell University (1956).
2. Lin, S. C., Resler, E. L.Jr., Kantrowitz, A., Jour. Appl. Phys., 26, 1, 95–109 (1955).
Dr. Lin has refined and continued these experiments at the AVCO‐Everett research laboratories. More recently, steady state experiments have been carried out at many laboratories:
see, for example, R. J. Rosa, Jour. Appl. Phys. 31, 735 (1960).
3. Brogan, et al., “Progress in MHD Power Generation” and Brogan, et al., “A Review of Recent MHD Generator Work” 2nd and 3rd Symposia on Engineering Aspects of Magnetohydrodynamics (1961) and (1962).
For all references on 2nd Symposium, see Mannal and Mather (eds.) Engineering Aspects of Magnetohydrodynamics, Columbia Univ. Press, 1962.
4. Brown, J. J. Wm. “Some Aspects of MHD Power Plant Economics,” 3rd Symposium on Engineering Aspects of Magnetohydrodynamics, Rochester, N.Y. (1962).
5. Bernstein, I. B., Fanucci, J. B., et al., “An Electrodeless MHD Generator,” 2nd Symposium on Engineering Aspects of Magnetohydrodynamics, Philadelphia (1961).
Mannal and Mather (ed.) (op. cit.).
6. Sporn, P., Kantrowitz, A., Power, November, 1959.
7. Donaldson, C. du P., et al., “Theory of the Magnetohydrodynamic Homopolar Generator,” Part I ARAP Rep. 20, 1959.
8. McCune, J. E., Donaldson, C. duP. “On the Magnetogasdynamics of Compressible Vortices,” Energy Conversion for Space Power, N. W. Snyder, ed. Academic Press, 1961.
See also: TAPCO (TRW) Report ER‐4737, NASA Contract No. NAS5‐703 (1961),
ASD Technical Report 61‐380 (1961) (Garrett Corp.),
and ARAP Report No. 25 (1960).
9. The Hartmann number measures the ratio of the electric body force to the viscous forces, See: Hartmann, J., Kgl. Danske Videnskabernes Selskab, Matli.‐fys, Medelelser XV, 6, Copenhagen, 1937.
10. Donaldson, C. du P., “The Magnetohydrodynamic Vortex Power Generator, Basic Principles and Practical Problems.” 2nd Annual Symposium on Engineering Aspects of Magnetohydrodynamics, Philadelphia (1961). Mannal and Mather, op cit.
11. Williamson, G. G., and McCune, J. E. “A Preliminary Study of the Structure of Turbulent Vortices” ARAP Report No. 32, 1961.
12. Rosa, R. J., “Physical Principles of Magnetohydrodynamic Power Generation” Phys. Flu. 4, 2, 182 (1961).
Hurwitz, H., Kilb, R. W., Sutton, G. W., “Influence of Tensor Conductivity on Current Distribution in an MHD Generator,” Jour. Appl. Phys. 32, 2, 205 (1961).
13. See for example: Freeman, N. C., “Non‐Equilibrium Theory of an Ideal‐dissociating Gas Through a Conical Nozzle,” A. R. C. Technical Report, C. P. No. 438 (Great Britain) (1958),
and Freeman, N. C. “Dynamics of a Dissociating Gas,” Jour. Flu. Mech. 4, 4 (1958).
14. Eschenroeder, A. Q., and Daiber, J. W. “Ionization Non‐equilibrium in Expanding Flows,” ARS Paper 1458‐60 (1960).
15. Lindley, B. C., “Research Programme on Magnetoplasmadynamic Power Generation,” C. A. Parsons & Co., Ltd. Report No. NRC 61‐127 (1961).
16. McNab, I. R., and Lindley, B. C.: “Electron Temperature in the Rapid Expansion of a Plasma Flow,” C. A. Parsons & Co., Ltd., Report No. NRC 61‐122 (1962).
17. Kerrebrock, J. L.: “Conduction in Gases with Elevated Electron Temperature,” Engineering Aspects of Magnetohydrodynamics, Mannal, C., and Mather, N. (eds.) Columbia University Press (1962).
18. Private Communication.
19. Post, R. F., and Taylor, C. E.: “Air Core Cryogenic Magnet Coils for Fusion Research,” Advances in Cryogenic Engineering, 5, Plenum Press (1960).
20. Corruccini, R. J. “Choice of Conductor for Cryogenic Electromagnets,” Memo Report CM‐2 National Bureau of Standards (1959).
21. Kunzler, J. E., et al., Phys. Rev. Letters, Feb. 1961 and Bulletin of APS, Series II, 6, 3, April, 1961.
22. Berlincourt, T. G., et al., Phys. Rev. Letters, June, 1961.
23. Stekly, Z. J. J., deWinter, T. A., and ElBindari, A., “Field Coils for MHD Generators,” AVCO‐Everett Research Report 119, November, 1961.
24. W. D. Jackson, private communication.

More about the Authors

J. E. McCune. Aeronautical Research Associates of Princeton, Inc..