Effects of fluid flow on the performance of a subsonic nonequilibrium disk MHD generator

The fluid flow and performance of a nonequilibrium disk MHD generator with subsonic flow are examined by time-dependent two-dimensional r-z numerical simulations. It is found that the development of the boundary layer is enhanced with increasing load resistance, as is the case in supersonic generators. The development of the boundary layer affects not only the performance of the generator but the thermal input to it, in contrast to supersonic generators. These facts lead to considerable departures from the performance predicted by a quasi-one-dimensional simulation and suggest that two-dimensional design of the generator channel, taking account of boundary layer development, is necessary in order to assure high performance of a subsonic generator.