| Research Abstract |
In 1995, we studied the mechanism of pressure loss in the MHD channel which mainly decreased the efficiency of electrical power generation, using a plasma MHD power generator we had already prepared. As a result, It was clarified that the pressure loss was induced mainly in the supersonic nozzle which was lecated in the upstream region of the MHD generator. It wa also known that this pressure loss was caused because the kinetic energy of fluid was transferred mainly into the heat addition to the plasma, hardly into the extracted electrical power. Further, we conducted the power generation experiments on many conditions of pressure and cesium seed fraction and found an optimum condition of them of which the generator efficiency made maximum. At the same time, our highest power density of 110MW/m^3 was recorded.
Based on these experimental results, a new generator was designed and ste up, supported by this grant. In 1996, we started a experiment using this new generator and tried to obtain the higher efficiency near the target value practically required. As a result, world highest record of the efficiency of the MHD generator using argon as working fluid was established. This generator also recorded the highest enthalpy extraction in generators which had the same cross-sectional area ratio. At the same time, the power density of 100MW/m^3 was obtained. Additionally, we found and clarified several new physical phenomena.
In summary, we succeeded in increasing the performance of the MHD power generator remarkably and obtained much important knowledge in engineering, based on this grant-in-aid for Scientific Research. In order to reach the commercialization stage of plasma MHD power generation, the demonstration tests using larger facility will be needed. We can say that it will be possible to reach the commercialization stage by getting experiences on these kind of tests.
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