An analysis of the operation and stability of the constant-velocity MHD hall generator

The constant-velocity Hall-type MHD generator with segmented transverse electrode is analyzed numerically to determine the steady-state operating characteristics and the stability with respect to axially propagating magnetoacoustic waves under a constant-current constraint. The electrical conductivity and Hall parameter are represented as functions of temperature and pressure. The variations of steady-state parameters are displayed graphically and terminal characteristics are presented. Phase velocity and amplitude data for the magnetoacoustic waves are presented in terms of steady-state parameters under a short wavelength approximation. Three wave modes are predicted, two which damp and one which grows. For initially subsonic conditions, the two damped waves propagate downstream and the amplified one propagates upstream, which may cause choking. For initially supersonic flow the three waves all travel downstream.