Analyses on the parameters affected to the output power density of a Faraday-type MHD generator

Abstract

This paper has shown the power density of a Faraday-type Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator considering the presence of electrode voltage drop. The electrode of the MHD generator used in this paper is a segmented type, therefore there is a reduction of electrical conductivity and Hall parameter. The paper has also defined a load factor to express the effects of voltage drop on the electrode to the output power of an MHD generator. The results obtained from this paper have been analyzed and compared to the previous results where the voltage drop of the electrode is not considered. As a result, the segmented electrode and the voltage drop have affected significantly to the characteristics of the output power. This result is significant for optimization of the MHD generator with respect to the maximum power density.