Magnetohydrodynamic

(MHD)
Generator

Sarah Herder
Aubrey Spilde
Margaret Zahller

ESM 288
May 17, 2006
 MHD power generation uses the
interaction of an electrically conducting
fluid with a magnetic field to convert part
of the energy of the fluid directly into
electricity

 Converts thermal or kinetic energy into

electricity
 Where
Lorentz Force Law:  F is the force of the acting particle (vector)
F = QvB  V is the velocity of the particle (vector)
 Q is the charge of the particle (scalar)
 B is the magnetic field (vector)
Conversion Efficiency

 MHD generator alone: 10-20%

 Steam plant alone: ≈ 40%

 MHD generator coupled with a steam

plant: up to 60%
Losses

 Heat transfer to walls

 Friction

 Maintenance of magnetic field

MHD + Steam plant
What we thought in
1975:
 Maximum electric power generation is unlimited by physical
principle, only by technological development

 With no dynamically or thermally stressed components, the

system is expected to be robust, with high operational safety,
and little required maintenance

 Can yield full output of power in between 0.3 to 0.5 seconds

 Ideally suited for emergency back-up or reserve power or
experimental scientific uses (pulsed power)

 Research under way by a number of countries including the

US, China, Italy, and Japan
ENTER:
The Department of Energy
(DOE)
Called for a ‘Proof-of-Concept’ program to be
completed between 1983-1993

 focused development on open-cycle, coal-fired,

commercial MHD power plants & creating a
database for the private sector

 Tested combinations with other power conversion

components (nuclear & steam)
Results of DOE
Research
 “successfully proved the concept of MHD
technology”

 Program was discontinued in 1993 due to the

high cost of designing, constructing, and
operating a complete system
 Much higher than the corresponding cost for other
coal-fired power generation options already in use
 Lower efficiency than developing gas turbine
technology
More Results of DOE
Research
 Knowledge benefits:
 database of technologies for pressurized
high-temperature gas heaters
 Contributed to subsequent clean coal
technology projects

 “NO realized economic, environmental,

or security benefits”
(Total Money spent on MHD program: $1.02 Billion by
government & $90 million by industry (in constant
1999 dollars))
“ Lessons Learned”
(according to the DOE)
 “Private sector interest in developing a technology, as evidenced
by a willingness to cost share in the demonstration process, must
be considered.”

 “There must be an understanding of where a technology fits in an

R&D portfolio from a priority standpoint, so that decision makers at
all levels can be provided with all the information they need to
make the best decisions in the interest of the overall R&D
program.”

 “Difficult decisions to terminate programs must be made as early

as possible and available funds redirected to the areas of greatest
potential.”
Other uses of MHD
Technology
 The “Yamoto”: a boat
built by Mitsubishi
powered solely by
MHD propulsion
 Can travel at up to 15
km/hr
Final application:
The Hunt for Red October
 Caterpillar drive uses MHD
technology to silently
power sub (no moving
parts) so that the Commies
can attack the US
undetected (but Sean
Connery defects and saves
the day)