MHD simulation of liquid Metal MHD power generator : Effect of Magnetic field distribution on the generator performance

Abstract

The mangetohydrodynamic flow in a liquid metal MHD generator is investigated numerically at several kinds of magnetic flux density distribution. The 80% of the highest efficiency was obtained on the condition that a magnetic flux distribution is uniform. On the contrary in the case of non uniform magnetic field condition. It is observed that the eddy current and M-shaped Hartmann velocity profile at where magnetic flux density changes rapidly and efficiency is lower due to it.