Solar-powered liquid-metal MHD power systems
The two-phase liquid-metal MHD power cycles coupled to solar collectors have potentially a higher efficiency of converting solar energy input into useful electrical power output for all collector temperatures. The MHD interaction is a volume effect, so that efficiency is essentially independent of design level down to fractional-megawatt size, and the performance is attractive even at approx. 50 kWe size. The use of two working fluids in the energy-conversion system is advantageous in coupling the conversion cycle to solar collectors and direct-contact boilers can be used to obtain higher conversion system temperatures. Two liquid-metal MHD systems of interest for solar collectors are presented and explained. Liquid metal MHD conversion systems appropriate to low, intermediate, and high collector temperatures are described along with initial efficiency and cost results.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 5718271
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-791205-19
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Liquid-metal MHD for solar and coal: system and component status
Liquid-metal MHD for solar and coal
Related Subjects
140700* -- Solar Thermal Power Systems
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300101 -- MHD Generators-- Design & Development
BOTTOMING CYCLES
BRAYTON CYCLE
COMBINED-CYCLE POWER PLANTS
COST
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EFFICIENCY
FLUID FLOW
LIQUID-METAL MHD GENERATORS
MACHINERY
MHD GENERATORS
POWER PLANTS
RANKINE CYCLE
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS
STEAM TURBINES
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
TOPPING CYCLES
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
TWO-PHASE FLOW