Analyses on the effect of magnetic induction attenuation on the current distribution in a Faraday MHD generator

Abstract

This paper examines the dependence of the attenuation of magnetic induction onthe current distribution etc. in the exit regions of the Faraday type non-equilibrium plasma MHDgenerator by a two-dimensional calculation. The numerical analyses are made for an example of thecesium-seeded helium. As a result, a reasonable magnetic induction attenuation can make thedistribution of current very uniform near the exit region of generator channel and has little influence onthe current distribution in the middle part of generator, and the output electrodes can be used withoutgreat ballast resistors. Also the inside resistance of the exit region and the current concentration at theexit electrode edges decrease with the attenuation of magnetic flux density. By the author's examination,it is made clear that the exit electrodes of the diagonal Faraday type non-equilibrium plasma MHDgenerator should be arranged in the attenuation region of the magnetic induction, since arranging themin this region becomes useful for the improvement of the electrical parameters of generator.