AC Power Generation with Transverse-Current Magnetohydrodynamic Conduction Machines

A 1-dimensional incompressible fluid model is used to show how two identical transverse-current MHD conduction generators, capable of self-excitation as dc generators, can be cross coupled magnetically to form a balanced 2-phase ac generator. The criterion for successful ac self-excitation is essentially the same as for successful dc self excitation; all reactive power is supplied by the generator magnetic-field energy storages, and the maximum operating frequency is limited by fluid conductivity and flow velocity. Conditions obtainable with seeded combustion gases yield frequencies too low for practical applications; however, conditions predicted for gases with nonequilibrium conductivity indicate the possibility of generating power at useful frequencies.