Magneto Hydro
Dynamic Power
Generation
S.SHRAVANI
15WH1A0255
EEE
CONTENTS
o INTRODUCTION
o PRINCIPLE
o VARIOUS SYSTEMS
o ADVANTAGES
o LIMITATIONS
o APPLICATIONS
o CONCLUSION
INTRODUCTION
MHD power generation is a new system of
electric power generation which is said to be of
high efficiency and low pollution.
As its name implies, Magneto Hydro Dynamics
(MHD) concerned with the flow of a conducting
fluid in the presence of magnetic and electric
field. The field of MHD was initiated by Hannes
Alfven. The word magneto hydro dynamics
(MHD) is derived
from magneto- meaning magnetic field, and
hydro- meaning liquid, and dynamics meaning
movement.
PRINCIPLES OF MHD POWER
GENERATION
When an conductor moves across a magnetic field, a
voltage is induced in it which produces an electric
current.
This is the principle of the conventional generator where
the conductors consist of copper strips.
In MHD generator, the solid conductors are replaced by a
gaseous conductor, an ionized gas. If such a gas is passed
at a high velocity through a powerful magnetic field, a
current is generated and can be extracted by placing
electrodes in suitable position in the stream.
PRINCIPLES OF MHD POWER
GENERATION
PRINCIPLES OF MHD POWER
GENERATION
PRINCIPLE OF MHD POWER
GENERATION
PRINCIPLE OF MHD POWER
GENERATION
• The conducting flow fluid is forced between the
plates with a kinetic energy and pressure differential
sufficient to over come the magnetic induction force.
• Ionization is produced either by thermal means
i.e. by an elevated temperature or by seeding with
substance like cesium or potassium vapors which
ionizes at relatively low temperatures.
• The atoms of seed element split off electrons. The
presence of the negatively charged electrons makes
the gas an electrical conductor.
PRINCIPLE OF MHD POWER
GENERATION
VARIOUS MHD SYSTEMS
The MHD systems are broadly classified into
two types.
• OPEN CYCLE SYSTEM
• CLOSED CYCLE SYSTEM
• Seeded inert gas system
• Liquid metal system
OPEN CYCLE SYSTEM
• The fuel used maybe oil through an oil tank or
gasified coal through a coal gasification plant.
• The fuel (coal, oil or natural gas) is burnt in the
combustor or combustion chamber.
• The seed material, generally potassium carbonate is
injected into the combustion chamber, the potassium
is then ionized by the hot combustion gases at
temperature of roughly 2300’ c to 2700’c.
SEEDED INERT GAS SYSTEM
• In a closed cycle system the carrier gas operates in the
form of Brayton cycle. In a closed cycle system the gas
is compressed and heat is supplied by the source, at
essentially constant pressure, the compressed gas then
expands in the MHD generator, and its pressure and
temperature fall.
• After leaving this generator heat is removed from the
gas by a cooler, this is the heat rejection stage of the
cycle. Finally the gas is recompressed and returned for
reheating.
LIQUID METAL SYSTEM
• When a liquid metal provides the electrical
conductivity, it is called a liquid metal MHD system.
• The carrier gas is pressurized and heated by passage
through a heat exchanger within combustion chamber.
The hot gas is then incorporated into the liquid metal
usually hot sodium or Lithium to form the working fluid.
• The working fluid is introduced into the MHD
generator through a nozzle in the usual ways. The
carrier gas then provides the required high direct
velocity of the electrical conductor.
ADVANTAGES
• The conversion efficiency of a MHD system can be
around 50% much higher compared to the most efficient
steam plants.
• Large amount of power is generated.
• It has no moving parts, so more reliable.
• The closed cycle system produces power, free of
pollution.
• It has ability to reach the full power level as soon as
started.
• The size of the plant is considerably smaller than
conventional fossil fuel plants.
LIMITATIONS
• The metallic vapours are poor electrical conductors.
• Very large magnets are needed. This is the major expense.
• High operating temperatures.
• Even though overall cost of generation is less, DC to AC
converters increase the cost of the plant.
APPLICATIONS
• Laser power MHD Generators.
• Submarine applications.
• Power generation in space crafts.
• Hypersonic wind tunnel experiments.
• Defense applications.
CONCLUSION
This power resource play a minor role presently and its
use on a vast scale is yet to be confirmed as it is in its
childhood stage.
These systems permit better fuel utilization. The reduced
fuel consumption would offer additional economic and special
benefits and would also lead to conservation of energy
resources.
The magneto hydro dynamic power generation is one of
the examples of a new unique method of generation of
electricity.
REFERENCES
Faraday, M. (1832). "Experimental Researches in Electricity." First
Series, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, pp. 125–162.
Sutton, George W., and Sherman, Arthur (1965)
Engineering Magnetohydrodynamics, McGraw-Hill Book
Company, New York, OCLC 537669
Popa, C. and Sritharan, S. S. (2003) "Fluid-magnetic splitting
methods for magneto-hydrodynamics" Mathematical Methods and
Models in Applied Sciences 13(6): pp. 893–917.
Roberts, Paul H. (1967) An Introduction to Magnetohydrodynamics
Longmans Green, London, OCLC 489632043
Rosa, Richard J. (1987) Magnetohydrodynamic Energy
Conversion (2nd edition) Hemisphere Publishing,
Washington, D.C., ISBN 0-89116-690-4
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