Effect of Xenon Seed on Performance of Pre-Ionized Inert Gas Plasma MHD Power Generator

Abstract

The effect of xenon (Xe) seed on the performance of pre-ionized inert gas plasma MHD power generator has been examined numerically under Ar, Ne and He mother gases. For pure Ne, the highest enthalpy extraction ratio and isentropic efficiency can be obtained owing to the high interaction parameter and high electrical efficiency among pure Xe, Ar, Ne and He working gases. Seeding small amount of Xe below 1 mol% to the other inert gases can reduce pre-ionization power with keeping the generator performance the same. Particularly, seeding Xe to Ne seems to be the most attractive from the viewpoint of its high performance. Adding the excessive amount of Xe, however, can deteriorate the performance owing to the decreases in the electrical conductivity, Hall parameter and electrical efficiency.