Solar-powered liquid-metal MHD power systems

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Am. Soc. Mech. Eng., (Pap.); (United States)

OSTI ID:6812743

Pierson, E S ^[1]; Fabris, G ^[1]

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1. Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Ill.

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 power level down to fractional-megawatt size, and the performance is attractive even at approximately 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.

• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 6812743
• Journal Information: Am. Soc. Mech. Eng., (Pap.); (United States), Journal Name: Am. Soc. Mech. Eng., (Pap.); (United States) Vol. 79-WA/SOL-22; ISSN ASMSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140600* -- Solar Energy-- Photovoltaic Power Systems
CONVERSION
COST
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EFFICIENCY
ELEMENTS
ENERGY CONVERSION
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
HIGH TEMPERATURE
LIQUID METALS
LIQUIDS
LOW TEMPERATURE
METALS
MHD GENERATORS
RANKINE CYCLE
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
WORKING FLUIDS