The variable analysis of an MHD generator with electrical output of 10 kW for application to bi-plant method electricity generation

Abstract

Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generators can be used to increase the total efficiencies of fossil power plants by adopting a bi‐plant design, in which electricity is generated using both a turbine and the MHD generator. An MHD generator with an electric output of 10 kW is numerically analyzed herein for application to bi‐plant method electricity generation. An electrically conductive plasma flue gas, with a high temperature of approximately 3000 K from the power plant, was considered for the generation of electricity from its flow in the magnetic field, where electricity was produced directly without the turbine facility from the MHD generator. Velocity profiles were calculated using an ANSYS code simulation. Then, using the magnetic flux density, the electrical output was calculated to design the MHD generator. The magnetic flux density, velocity, and geometrical variables affected the power output of the MHD generator. The power was proportional to the square of magnetic flux density, whereas velocity and power density were constant.