Effects of strong magnetic field on flow characteristics of MHD seawater propulsion system

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5256281

Doss, E ^[1]; Roy, G ^[2]

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1. Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
2. Office of Naval Research, Arlington, VA (USA)

A three-dimensional MHD fluid flow computer model has been developed and applied to study the concept of MHD seawater propulsion. The effects of strong magnetic fields on the current and electrical fields inside the MHD duct and their interaction with the flow fields, particularly those in the boundary layers have been investigated. Results of parametric studies for variables influencing the flow field characteristics and the overall performance of the propulsion systems are discussed. Such parameters include the magnetic field, and electrical loading of the MHD thruster. The results of the calculations performed indicate the sensitivity of the thrust performance to the load factor. The distribution of J{sub y} current density in the Hartmann layers of the insulating sidewalls caused the flattening of the velocity particles of sidewall boundary layers relative to the velocity profiles over the electrode walls. These nonuniformities in the flow field give rise to nonuniform distribution of the skin friction, along the walls of the thrusters where higher values are predicted over the sidewalls relative to those over the electrode walls. The extent of such nonuniformities of the flow fields and the corresponding differences in the skin friction between the sidewalls and electrode walls diminishes as the magnetic field or load factor decreases. Careful considerations should be given to the calculation and magnitude of frictional losses because of their impact on the efficiency of MHD thrusters. 10 refs., 8 figs., 2 tabs.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOD
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5256281
• Report Number(s): CONF-891226-2; ON: DE90004877; CNN: NOOO14-89-F-0064
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320204* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Transportation-- Sea & Water
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330000 -- Advanced Propulsion Systems
426001 -- Engineering-- Superconducting Devices & Circuits-- (1990-)
640430 -- Fluid Physics-- Magnetohydrodynamics
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
BOUNDARY LAYERS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COMPILED DATA
CRYOGENICS
CURRENT DENSITY
DATA
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTROMAGNETS
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
EQUIPMENT
FLUID FLOW
FORECASTING
FRICTION
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INFORMATION
LAYERS
LORENTZ FORCE
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETS
MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS
MHD GENERATORS
NOISE
NUMERICAL DATA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SEAWATER
SHIPS
SUBMARINES
SUPERCONDUCTING DEVICES
SUPERCONDUCTING MAGNETS
TESTING
VARIATIONS
WATER