Direct current power generation in self-excited liquid metal magnetohydrodynamic generators

Ph. Marthy

Abstract
A study of self-excited LMMHD generators is presented. Expressions for the critical velocity and electrical efficiency have been proposed and their values have been compared to experimental results obtained on a mercury loop on which self-excitation is achieved for the magnetic Reynolds number of the order of 0.1. A numerical study of the transient regime during the establishment of self-excitation has also been described: the time evolution of both the velocity and the self-generated electric current has been obtained; the results exhibit a strong influence of the initial value of ihe residual magnetic field on the duration of the transient period. Tab. 1, figs 6, refs 10.