Abstract
Operation characteristics of the closed loop experimental facility for CCMHD power generation which is now under construction at Tokyo Institute of Technology are examined by carrying out time dependent quasi-one-dimensional numerical simulations. It was found that under electrical power generation, the compression ratio increases from 4.9 (under non-power generation) to 5.9 (under power generation) because of the large decrease in total pressure by Lorentz force. Then, the increment of the electrical power input to the high temperature gas heater was found to be small (15kW) to compensate for the extraction of the output power (41kW). This is mainly because the argon gas temperature decreases at the generator exit by electrical power generation, as a result, the amount of cooling in the diffuser and cooling duct reduces. The start-up operation of the closed loop experimental facility is proposed. The rated operating condition can be obtained by increasing discharge flow rate of the compressor through several stages of operations, i.e., argon gas charging and adjustment of heater input power. By following this operation procedure, it is possible to operate this facility without violating any restrictions of the facility.
