High efficiency magnetohydrodynamic power generation using ultra-high magnetic fields and novel cooling

摘要

A magnetohydrodynamic energy conversion device with an electrically conductive working fluid flowing through a conduit in a magnetic field has permanent magnets aligned for maximum field density for inducing an electric current in the fluid and a multistage cooling system for cryogenically cooling the magnets whereby heat is removed from the device at successive cooling stages having respective different coolants, e.g., water, liquid nitrogen and liquid helium, to maintain the magnets at temperatures low enough to produce high tesla magnetic flux densities in the presence of a high temperature working fluid.

主权项

1. A high efficiency magnetohydrodynamic energy conversion device comprising
an electrically conductive fluid, an electrically conductive fluid conduit having an axis, said electrically conductive fluid flowing through said electrically conductive fluid conduit under pressure in a direction parallel to said axis, first and second permanent magnets aligned for forming a magnetic field intersecting said electrically conductive fluid conduit axis for inducing an electric current in said fluid, the magnitude of said current increasing in response to an increase in the temperature of said fluid, and first and second cooling means for respectively cooling said first and second permanent magnets, said first cooling means comprising a plurality of cooling systems disposed between said electrically conductive fluid conduit and said first permanent magnet, and each of said cooling systems comprises a housing with a cooling chamber, a heat exchanger, and a pump for circulating a coolant between said cooling chamber and said heat exchanger whereby said coolant absorbs heat within said cooling chamber and expels heat through said heat exchanger, said first permanent magnet being disposed within the housing of a first one of said cooling systems for enabling the coolant in said first one of said cooling systems to be circulated about said first permanent magnet, the coolant in said first one of said cooling systems having a composition different from the coolant in a second one of said cooling systems, the coolant in a third one of said cooling systems having a composition different from the coolants in said first one of said cooling systems and said second one of said cooling systems.