THE CONSTANT-MACH-NUMBER MHD GENERATOR
The optimum duct design in a magnetohydrodynamic generator is shown to be close to the one in which the flow Mach number remains constant. This constant-Machnumber generator is analyzed in some detail, and it is shown that the optimum Mach number can be defined to within a few percent. For a gamma of 1.25, this optimum is near 0.85. For very short ducts, the maximum power output is obtained near matched-load conditions but for rather longer ones maximum total power output is obtained by working as close to short-circuit conditions as is practicable. Against this, the minimum compressor requirements are found by working as close to opencircuit conditions as is practicahle, and so a compromise must be reached for optimum overall generator design as far as load conditions are concerned. This will probably give an internal ohmic loss in the fluid of about one-third of the total output. Curves are presented which enable the optimum Mach number to be determined with greater precision when the optimum load conditions have been selected. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Central Electricity Research Labs., Leatherhead, Surrey, Eng.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-020684
- OSTI ID:
- 4729151
- Journal Information:
- J. Fluid Mechan., Journal Name: J. Fluid Mechan. Vol. Vol: 15
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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