Analysis and Evaluation of the Test Results of the US/Netherlands 5-MW (Thermal) Closed-Cycle MHD-Generator Experiments at Eindhoven University, The Netherlands. Final Report, October 1, 1982-February 28, 1983

摘要

A brief study was made of the closed cycle MHD generator results obtained in a 5 MW(thermal) power, blowdown tests series, with a cold wall heat sink channel, at the University of Eindhoven. These results were compared with MHD generator experiments, and theoretical models based on these experiments, obtained with several generator configurations in a nominal 10 MW (thermal) power shock tunnel. The results were also compared with those obtained in a 3 MW (thermal) closed cycle MHD blowdown experiment. The objective of this review was to determine the parameters governing the electrical and gas dynamic performance of the 5 MW(t) heat sink, MHD generator, in order to select a test plan for an upcoming series of experiments in that facility with a US designed, hot wall, MHD generator. The following conclusions were reached: (1) The very low open circuit voltages measured may be due to internal short circuits through the boundary layers, or the results of inadequate electron transport to the measuring probes. The latter cause does not impact the generator performance, while the former cause results in significant power reductions. (2) The best measured enthalpy extraction of 7%, reported to date, was about 1/3 of the 20% value predicted by a 1-dimensional MHD generator model. It is estimated that the following internal losses can account for the observed result: Electrode voltage losses due aerodynamic boundary layers and electrode sheaths- 3% points; ionization relaxation at the generator entrance- 5% points; and internal shorting through the generator boundary layers and end regions, as well as losses due to electromagnetic induced oblique shocks- 5% points. Based on the published data, it is not possible to discriminate between the last two loss mechanisms. (ERA citation 08:049328)