- #1
rprosser
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I'm exploring an idea for a MHD generator. This may well have been done before but I can't find that much about the subject online so I would appreciate input from PF people.
Assume that a plasma 'ball' is flowing along the axis of a tube, which is surrounded by electromagnet coils. The plasma will of course 'pinch', with the ions and electrons rotating in opposite directions around the axis.
Now if the ball is passed through another coil, the induced EMF from the circulating charges would create a current pulse in the coil, which could then be tapped as an electric generator. An additional EMF in the coil wires will also be created along the axial direction as the plasma pulse passes through; presumably that could also be part of an electric circuit if the conductor was wide enough to permit suitable connections.
I wish to focus on the former case however: how much power could be taken from the plasma in that way? Would the plasma then slow down?
Please note that I know about the various equations involved but I am not that good at maths! I am also well aware that a changing current is required to induce the EMF, hence the 'ball' assumption in the first place.
I would appreciate some typical examples if possible.
Thanks ...
Richard
Assume that a plasma 'ball' is flowing along the axis of a tube, which is surrounded by electromagnet coils. The plasma will of course 'pinch', with the ions and electrons rotating in opposite directions around the axis.
Now if the ball is passed through another coil, the induced EMF from the circulating charges would create a current pulse in the coil, which could then be tapped as an electric generator. An additional EMF in the coil wires will also be created along the axial direction as the plasma pulse passes through; presumably that could also be part of an electric circuit if the conductor was wide enough to permit suitable connections.
I wish to focus on the former case however: how much power could be taken from the plasma in that way? Would the plasma then slow down?
Please note that I know about the various equations involved but I am not that good at maths! I am also well aware that a changing current is required to induce the EMF, hence the 'ball' assumption in the first place.
I would appreciate some typical examples if possible.
Thanks ...
Richard