Research on hydraulic loss characteristics of helical channel seawater MHD thruster under electromagnetic field

Qi Xia¹ - Xiao-Qiang Chen¹ - Ling-Zhi Zhao^1,2 - Ai-Wu Peng^1,2 - Feng Wang¹

¹ Institute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China 100190
² University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China 100049

Abstract
Under the action of an external electromagnetic field the flow field distribution inside the helical channel seawater magnetohydrodynamic thruster channel changes compared to the distribution without electromagnetic force, which will affect the original hydraulic loss characteristics of the channel and ultimately affect its propulsion performance. This article first confirms through cyclic loop experiments that there is a significant difference in the hydraulic loss characteristics of the helical channels with and without electromagnetic field effects. Subsequently, based on Fluent numerical simulation, the flow field variation characteristics of the helical channel affected by the electromagnetic field were analyzed. Then, the effects of current density, external magnetic field, and flow velocity with a load coefficient in the range K = 1.3 ... 17 on the distribution of the channel flow field and hydraulic loss characteristics were studied. The numerical and experimental research in this article can provide guidance and a basis for the optimization design of high-efficiency helical channel seawater magnetohydrodynamic thrusters. Key words: MHD thruster, helical channel, hydraulic loss, numerical simulation, loop test Tables 2, Figs 55, Refs 11.