logajan@ns.UUCP (John Logajan x3118) (09/09/88)
I recall reading somewhere, a few years ago, that magnetohydrodynamic
electric power generators suffered from plasma/contact-surface
deterioration. MHD works, as I understand it, by shooting the high
temperature (ergo ionized) gasses of combustion (you know, a flame)
through a magnetic field. Electrically conducting surfaces at right
angles to both the flame travel, and magnetic field lines, capture
the ions caused to move by the flame and directed by the magnet.
Positive ions are bent to one surface, while negative ions are bent
to the other surface -- generating a charge and therefore electrical
power. It is this flame to surface contact that is the major problem
with MHD reliability and lifespan. (Or so I understand.)
However, isn't it possible to conduct electricity without direct contact?
I also recall seeing that gasses in a sealed glass shell could be made to
illuminate simply by placing the tube between plates of an RF activated
capacitor. Couldn't the magnetic field of the MHD be RF modulated so
that the electrical power could be tapped by a capacitive, indirect
method. Wouldn't this solve the erosion problem? Power would
come out as RF AC, but it could easily be rectified to DC.
Is anyone doing this in MHD systems?
--
- John M. Logajan @ Network Systems; 7600 Boone Ave; Brooklyn Park, MN 55428 -
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