MHD Faraday Generator

Solar MHD (Magneto-Hydrodynamic) Electric Generators operate more efficiently than conventional power plants.

This patented system attains very high-efficiencies and is non-polluting by using the sun to superheat a gas plasma. The plasma is then cycled into a chamber where strong magnets, because the gas is superheated, are able to collect electrons from the gas which are then conducted away with electrodes, these electrodes serve much the same purpose as the brushes in a conventional generator. The gas by virtue of its motion through the magnetic field has an electromotive force generated in it which drives a current through it. The plasma gas recycles through the system, is replenished and the cycle continues.

The distinguishing feature of a magnetohydrodynamic generator as compared to a conventional turbogenerator is that is utilizes an ionized and, hence, electrically conducting plasma gas.

In a magnetohydrodynamic device the moving conductor (gas) is a three-dimensional continuum rather than a bundle of essentially one-dimensional wires.

The Solar MHD high-electric-power system has few moving mechanical parts which means the system lasts longer than conventional fossil fuel burnings systems and requires less maintenance over the life of the system.

All this means cleaner, cheaper, quieter power generation for businesses, residential complexes, and municipal utilities.

The MHD cycle should provide a very high conversion efficiency, possibly approaching 70% (Cicconradi et al 1997, Kayukawa, 2000).

Parabolic dish solar energy concentrating collectors can achieve temperatures well above 2,000 degrees-F in order to power MHD generators. Higher operating temperatures significantly increase thermal to energy efficiencies. The Sun heats the gas to temperatures sufficient for the start of thermal ionization - ionized state.

The future electrical power needs of industrial countries will have to be met for the most part by thermal systems composed of a heat source and an energy conversion device. In accordance with thermodynamic considerations, the maximum potential efficiency of such a system (i.e., the Carnot efficiency) is determined by the temperature of the heat source. However, the maximum actual efficiency of the system will be limited by the maximum temperature employed in the energy conversion device. The closer the temperature of the working fluid in the energy conversion device to the temperature of the heat source, the higher the maximum potential efficiency of the overall system.

The maximum limiting temperature for turbine blades being 750-800C, the MHD generator is capable of tapping the vast potential offered by modern furnaces, which can reach temperatures of more than 2500 K, and up to 3000 K with preheating of air.

Because MHD power generators, in contrast to turbines, do not require the use of moving solid materials in the gas stream, they can operate at much higher temperatures. Calculations show that fossil-fuelled MHD generators may be capable of operating at efficiencies between 50 and 60 percent. Higher operating efficiencies would lead to improved conservation of natural resources, reduced thermal pollution, and lower fuel costs. Studies currently in progress suggest also the possibility of reduced air pollution.

The last few decades have witnessed a clear trend in high temperature solar thermal electricity generation: increasing the concentration of sunlight, the operation temperature, and subsequently the efficiency of conversion from sunlight to electricity.

Solar MHD, technology converts solar energy to electrical energy at very high temperatures. When it is Combined with a turbine-generator ("a cascade power system"), magnetohydrodynamics systems are projected to be capable of efficiencies exceeding 60 percent with no emissions.

This pursuit of ever-higher efficiency is economically motivated: sunlight is of course free.

PRINCIPLE OF MHD POWER GENERATION

MHD power generation is based on Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction. When conductive fluid flows through a magnetic field that is perpendicular to the flowing direction, it will cut the magnetic lines and then the electromotive force is induced in the direction perpendicular to both magnetic field direction and flow direction.

Solar MHD will be utilizing extreme engineering and equipment to develop our proprietary technology that will exploit new materials and advanced technology. Solar MHD will also incorporate recent advancements in the efficiency of permanent magnets and new heat-resistant materials. Solar MHD power plants hold the promise to revolutionize the power industry as we know it.

During the initial phase of Solar MHD business operation we will have designed, built, and tested a solar MHD unit that can be shown to be financially profitable to our company.

MHD Generators Are Energy Conversion Machines

MHD power generation is a very promising direct solar thermal power generation technology.

By using solar energy the High Temperature Solar MHD Generator has the ability to achieve higher working fluid temperatures than obtainable by combustion of common fuels (Coal, Oil, and Natural Gas). This is a key advantage to the current state-of-the-art. Temperatures of the required magnitude cannot be easily achieved by combustion of the usual fuels. The operating temperature range for MHD is beyond that of any other generating technology.

(MHD generator), a power generator in which the energy of the working fluid (a conductive liquid or gaseous medium) moving through a magnetic field is converted directly into electric power. The term “magnetohydrodynamic generator” is derived from the fact that the motion of such mediums is described by magnetohydrodynamics.

The MHD power generation system has high efficiency. This is because the power generation system can work over a high temperature range of 600–3000 C.

Nuclear/MHD - MHD Nuclear Reactor Power Plant

Principles Of Operation

Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) (magnetofluiddynamics or hydromagnetics) is the academic discipline which studies the dynamics of electrically conducting fluids. Examples of such fluids include plasmas, liquid metals, and salt water. The word magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) is derived from magneto- meaning magnetic field, and hydro- meaning liquid, and -dynamics meaning movement. The field of MHD was initiated by Hannes Alfvén, for which he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1970.

The idea of MHD is that magnetic fields can induce currents in a moving conductive fluid, which create forces on the fluid, and also change the magnetic field itself. The set of equations which describe MHD are a combination of the Navier-Stokes equations of fluid dynamics and Maxwell's equations of electromagnetism. These differential equations have to be solved simultaneously, either analytically or numerically. Because MHD is a fluid theory, it cannot treat kinetic phenomena, i.e., those in which the existence of discrete particles, or of a non-thermal distribution of their velocities, is important.

When a gas is heated to high temperatures, the valence electrons of the excited atoms move on to higher quantized orbits and ultimately, at certain energy levels they fly off and become free electrons, For a gas to be conducting, a certain number of free electrons must be present along with an equal number of ions and the main body of neutral atoms. The working plasma loses its enthalpy which is converted into electric power in the MHD generator. Since a very high temperature is required to ionize a gas (thermal ionization). The hot gas is seeded with an alkali metal such as cesium or potassium having low ionization potential before the gas enters the MHD duct.

MHD Generator - A magnetohydrodynamic generator directly extracts electric power from moving hot gases through a magnetic field, without the use of rotating electromagnetic machinery. MHD generators were originally developed because the output of a plasma MHD generator is a flame, well able to heat the boilers of a steam power plant. The first practical design was the AVCO Mk. 25, developed in 1965. The U.S. government performed substantial development, culminating in a 25Mw demonstration plant in 1987.

The MHD (magnetohydrodynamic) generator or dynamo transforms thermal energy or kinetic energy directly into electricity. MHD generators are different from traditional electric generators in that they can operate at high temperatures without moving parts. MHD was eagerly developed because the exhaust of a plasma MHD generator is a flame, still able to heat the boilers of a steam power plant. So high-temperature MHD was developed as a topping cycle to increase the efficiency of electric generation, especially when burning coal or natural gas. It has also been applied to pump liquid metals and for quiet submarine engines.

The basic concept underlying the mechanical and fluid dynamos is the same. The fluid dynamo, however, uses the motion of fluid or plasma to generate the currents which generate the electrical energy. The mechanical dynamo, in contrast, uses the motion of mechanical devices to accomplish this. The functional difference between an MHD generator and an MHD dynamo is the path the charged particles follow.

Solar MHD Electrical Power Plant

The Lorentz Force Law describes the effects of a charged particle moving in a constant magnetic field.
F=Q.(V x B)
F is the force acting on the particle,
Q is charge of particle,
v is velocity of particle,
B is magnetic field.
The vector F is perpendicular to both v and B according to the Right hand rule.

Solar MHD Inc, Publicity:

Producing Electricity from Any Heat Source - The Next Generation of Solar Thermal?
From: Solar Thermal Magazine

Magnetohydrodynamics: The Next Generation of Solar Thermal Power
From: Renewable Energy Magazine

The Development of MHD For Electric Utility Power Generation is an Objective of National Significance

Related Links:

• Bookrags - Magnetohydrodynamics

• Preliminary Study On Next Test Facility For Closed Cycle MHD - Efficiency As High As 55%

  Solar MHD Benchmark Experiments - Hughes Space and Communications Company physicist, J. Palmer's proved in the 1970's that solar energy can ionize a plasma. This proved the concept that solar MHD electric power generation works.

• High Efficiency Closed Cycle MHD Power Generation System
  - MHD single power generation system had the highest plant efficiency of 61 percent! which was higher than that of a conventional turbine generation system.

• MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS by M. S. Tillack and N. B. Morley - McGraw Hill 14th Edition Standard Handbook for Electrical Engineers

• Recent Advances in Direct Solar Thermal Power Generation Yue-Guang Deng and Jing Liua Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People’s Republic of China

"I became aware of MHD in the mid 1970's. I thought it has wonderful petential... It definately deserves to be part of the future of energy. Keep up the good work!!!" - R McFall

"I was the Air Force program manager for the Hypersonic Vehicle Electric Power program which was the last MHD research program funded by the government. This program sucessfully tested an MHD generator powered by a scramjet combustor. Your idea of using solar concentrators to provide the high temperature is very interesting." - Rene T

"I worked on large scale MHD project NASA/US Navy--at the Cleveland Center. To prove the system works in salt water--passing threw MHD units--to dive silent electric drive units for both subs--and commercial vessels--in the future. Thanks--bring back old fun days -pure math & physics--love of my life" - M Castro

"Any & all Inventions &/or Innovations towards higher Efficiency at lesser KW Cost should be welcome news. If ready for commercialization, we would be an early adaptor of this technology" - Ernesto Del Castillo - Energy & Utilities Network

"Based on the facts known concerning MHD devices it can be said that in general everybody would have to agree that a device, as described herein, can be built and usefully operated." - DR E Shider - Ph.D.

Solar MHD, Inc.

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Magnetohydrodynamic "dynamo" of the Sun