Insulating wall boundary layer in a Faraday MHD generator

The velocity profile at the center of the insulating wall in an MHD generator was measured using a dual beam real fringe anemometer system with an argon ion laser. The analytic model involved the computer solution, using finte difference techniques, of the momentum, energy, and electrical equations including MHD effects for the turbulent insulating wall boundary layer. The turbulence model used was the mixing length theory which was modified to include turbulence damping. Variable, equilibrium properties were employed producing a coupling between the momentum, energy, and electrical equations resulting in extended Hartmann flow. Calculations for a supersonic generator indicate that turbulence damping is unimportant, but that extended Hartmann flow causes a reduction in both the skin friction and the heat transfer and could lead to separation of the insulating wall boundary layer.