Liquid-metal MHD - Cycle studies and generator experiments

A continuing study of the two-phase liquid-metal MHD (LMMHD) concept coupled to a coal-fired fluidized-bed combustor was conducted. The LMMHD concept is briefly described, and results obtained to date are summarized. The main component unique to this LMMHD concept is the two-phase LMMHD generator. A diverging-channel generator with gas injection along the insulating walls was built and placed in operation. The expected significant improvement in performance of this generator over the previous generator was not obtained. Experiments to investigate this lack of improvement demonstrated that the gas injection was not operating as expected. The gas injection ports were removed, and substantial improvement was obtained in generator performance.