Magneto hydrodynamic power generator

A magneto hydrodynamic generator (MHD generator) is a magneto

hydrodynamic converter that transforms thermal energy and kinetic
energy directly into electricity. An MHD generator, like a conventional
generator, relies on moving a conductor through a magnetic field to
generate electric current.
Principles of operation

The basic structure of an MHD generator is shown in the figure. In an MHD generator
the hot gas is accelerated by a nozzle and injected into a channel. A powerful magnetic
field is set up across the channel. In accordance with Faraday’s law of induction,
an electric field is established that acts in a direction perpendicular to both the gas flow
and the magnetic field. The walls of the channel parallel to the magnetic field serve
as electrodes and enable the generator to provide an electric current to an external
circuit.

Simple MHD generatorThe load current is represented by I and the voltage by V.

Major types of MHD systems
Coal-fired MHD systems
The choice of type of MHD generator depends on the fuel to be used and the
application. The abundance of coal reserves throughout much of the world has favoured
the development of coal-fired MHD systems for electric power production. Coal can be
burned at a temperature high enough to provide thermal ionization. However, as the gas
expands along the duct or channel, its electrical conductivity drops along with its
temperature.

Other MHD systems

In addition to natural gas as a fuel source, more-exotic MHD power generation systems
have been proposed. Conventional nuclear reactors can employ hydrogen, or a noble
gas such as argon or helium, as the working fluid, but they operate at temperatures that
are too low to produce the thermal ionization used in MHD generators. Thus, some form
of nonequilibrium ionization using seeding material is necessary.

In theory, solar concentrators can provide thermal energy at a temperature high enough
to provide thermal ionization. Thus, solar-based MHD systems have potential, provided
that solar collectors can be developed that operate reliably for extended periods at high
temperatures.