Transitional processes in a magnetohydrodynamic generator - electric motor system

A. L. Genkin - K. V. Gigauri - L. A. Kudryashova

Abstract
The article discusses the flow of a plasma in the channel of a magnetohydrodynamic generator of the Faraday type with solid electrodes, operating in conjunction with an electric motor. It sets forth a method for solution of the problem and gives the results of numerical calculations of transitional processes in such a system. The time required for the establishment of steady-state flow conditions is determined. It is shown that the whole transitional process may be arbitrarily divided into relatively short initial and main periods. The initial period is characterized by sharp changes in the gas-dynamic parameters of the plasma, of the current, and of the voltage; to calculate it, we must use equations describing non-steady-state flow of the plasma and transitional processes in the electric motor. The main period may be calculated, without any great error, in the quasi-steady-state approximation.