The document discusses Magneto Hydrodynamic (MHD) power generation, which uses electrically conducting fluids and strong magnetic fields to generate electricity without moving parts. It describes the principles of MHD generation according to Faraday's law of induction. There are two main types of MHD systems - open loop systems that use atmospheric air and closed loop systems that circulate working fluids like inert gases or liquid metals. MHD generators are more efficient than steam plants and have advantages like fewer moving parts and smaller size, but developing the technology faces challenges like high operating temperatures and costs. Research is ongoing globally to commercialize MHD power generation.

1. MAGNETO HYDRODYNAMIC
POWER GENERATION (MHD)
Course instructor: Rethwan Faiz

2. G RO U P M E M B E R S
M A L I K , M D S A L M A N FA R S H E 1 3 - 2 4 0 3 7 - 2
NA H I A N A H NA F TA H M I D 1 2 - 2 0 1 7 8 - 1
A NA N TA , M A H M U D H O S S A I N 1 2 - 2 0 4 1 5 - 1
M O Z U M D E R , T U R Z A D H I M A N 1 2 - 2 1 1 3 2 - 1

3. CONTENTS
 INTRODUCTION
 PRINCIPLE
 VARIOUS SYSTEMS
 ADVANTAGES
 FUTURE PROSPECTS

4. INTRODUCTION
Magneto hydrodynamics (MHD) is the academic discipline which studies
the dynamics of electrically conducting fluids. Examples of such fluids
include plasmas, liquid metals, and salt water. A magnetohydrodynamic
generator (MHD generator) is a magnetohydrodynamic device that
transforms thermal energy and kinetic energy into electricity. MHD generators are
different from traditional electric generators in that they operate at high
temperatures without moving parts.
The field of MHD was initiated by Hannes Alfvén, for which he received
the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1970.

5. HANNES ALFVÉN

6. PRINCIPLES OF MHD POWER
GENERATION
Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction : When an electric
conductor moves across a magnetic field, an emf is induced in it, which
produces an electric current .

7. A SIMPLE MHD LAYOUT

8. PRINCIPLES OF MHD
POWER GENERATION
 According to the principle of conventional generator the conductors
are made of copper strips.
 In MHD generator, the solid conductors are replaced by the gaseous
conductor, an ionized gas. If such a gas is passed at a high velocity
through a powerful magnetic field, a current is generated and can be
extracted by placing electrodes in suitable position in the stream.Moving
through a magnetic field experiences a retarding force as well as an
induced electric field and current.

9. PRINCIPLES OF MHD
POWER GENERATION

10. COMPARISON BE TWE EN A TURBO
GE NE RATOR AND A MHD GE NE RATOR

11. TYPES OF MHD
 Open Loop System
 Closed Loop System
 Seeded inert gas system
Liquid metal system

12. OPEN LOOP SYSTEM
 In an open cycle MHD system ,atmospheric air at very high temperature
and pressure is passed trough a strong magnetic field.Coal is first processed
and burnt in the combustor at high temperature and pressure.Then a seeding
material is injected(Potassium Carbonate) to increase the conductivity.It’s then
expanded through a nozzle and passed through the magnetic field.during the
expansion the positive and negetive ions at high temperature move to the
electrodes and constitute current.In this cycle same air can’t be reused,that’s
why this is called open cycle MHD.

13. OPEN LOOP SYSTEM

14. CLOSED LOOP SYSTEM
 As the name suggests the working fluid in a closed cycle MHD is circulated in
closed cycle.Here inert gas or liquid metal is used as working fluid. Liquid metal has
high electrical conductivity, so the temperature of combustion material need not to
be high.Hence there is no inlet and outlet as open loop for atmospheric air.the
process is simplified to great extent.
 Two types of closed loop system are
 Seeded inert gas system
 Liquid metal system

15. SEEDED INERT GAS
SYSTEM
 In a closed cycle system the gas is compressed and heat is
supplied by the source at constant pressure,the compressed gas then
expand in the MHD generator.Then it’s pressure and temperature
falls.
 After leaving the generator heat is removed from the gas by
cooler,this is the heat rejection stage of the cycle.Finally the gas is
recompressed.

16. SEEDED INERT GAS SYSTEM

17. LIQUID METAL SYSTEM
 When a liquid metal provides the electrical conductivity, it is called a liquid metal MHD
system.
 the carrier gas is pressurized and heated by passage through a heat exchanger within
combustion chamber. The hot gas Is then incorporated into the liquid metal usually hot
sodium or lithium to form the working fluid.
 The working fluid is introduced into the MHD generator through a nozzle in the
usual ways. The carrier gas then provides the required high direct velocity of the electrical
conductor.

18. LIQUID METAL SYSTEM

19. Open Cycle System
 Working fluid after generating
electrical energy is discharged to the
atmosphere through a stack
 Operation of MHD generator is
done directly on combustion products .
 Temperature requirement : 2300˚C
to 2700˚C.
 More developed.
DIFFER ENCE BETW EEN OPEN
CYCLE A ND CLOSED CYCLE
SY STEM
Closed Cycle System
 Working fluid is recycled to the heat
sources and thus is used again.
 Helium or argon(with cesium
seeding) is used as the working fluid.
 Temperature requirement : about
530˚C.
 Less developed.

20. NEED OF MHD
At present a plenty of energy is needed to sustain industrial and
agricultural production, and the existing conventional energy sources
like coal, oil, uranium etc. are not adequate to meet the ever
increasing energy demands. Consequently, efforts have been made
for harnessing energy from several non-conventional energy sources
like Magneto Hydro Dynamics(MHD) System.

22. ADVANTAGES
 The conversion efficiency of a MHD system can be around 50% much higher
compared to the most efficient steam plants. Still higher efficiencies are expected in
future, around 60 – 65 %, with the improvements in experience and technology.
 Large amount of power is generated.
 It has no moving parts, so more reliable.
 The closed cycle system produces power, free of pollution.
 It has ability to reach the full power level as soon as started.
 The size if the plant is considerably smaller than conventional fossil fuel plants.

23. DISADVANTAGES
 Suffers from reverse flow (short circuits) of electrons through the conducting
fluids around the ends of the magnetic field.
 Needs very large magnets and this is a major expense.
 High friction and heat transfer losses.
 High operating temperature.
 Coal used as fuel poses problem of molten ash which may short circuit the
electrodes. Hence, oil or natural gas are much better fuels for MHDs.
Restriction on use of fuel makes the operation more expensive.

24. OTHER APPLICATIONS
 Power generation in space craft.
 Hypersonic wind tunnel experiments.
 Defense application.

25. FUTURE PROSPECTS
 It is estimated that by 2020, almost 70 % of the total electricity generated in
the world will be from MHD generators.
 Research and development is widely being done on MHD by different countries
of the world.
Nations involved:
 USA
 Former USSR
 Japan
 India
 China
 Yugoslavia
 Australia
 Italy
 Poland

26. CONCLUSION
The MHD power generation is in advanced stage today and closer to
commercial utilization. Significant progress has been made in development
of all critical components and sub system technologies. Coal burning MHD
combined steam power plant promises significant economic and
environmental advantages compared to other coal burning power generation
technologies. It will not be long before the technological problem of MHD
systems will be overcame and MHD system would transform itself from
non- conventional to conventional energy sources.

27. T H A N K Y O U