MHD power generation with plasma nonuniformities-gas interacting flows

Summary form only given. Research which studies the possibility of realizing MHD (magnetohydrodynamic) conversion through a nonuniform plasma in a linear channel has been initiated. Based on 1-D time-dependent calculations for open-cycle MHD, operating with plasma vanes, enthalpy extractions larger than 0.40 have been predicted. The main project goal is to demonstrate the physical feasibility of the MHD conversion with plasma vanes. The conditions and the lifetime of a plasma vane inside the gas flow and the interaction between the hot plasma clot and the cold gas around are studied. The first experiments on the life of the plasma vane have been successfully carried out in the shock tube facility of Eindhoven University. The plasma vanes appear and to be created in a constricted form and to live flowing with the gas for a relevant portion of the channel.