Stabilization analysis of commercial-scale subsonic diagonal-type MHD generator considering loading conditions

In previous research on subsonic diagonal-type MHD generators, the authors have proposed a conceptual design with relatively low Mach number in order to stabilize the MHD generator of commercial scale and have shown that the MHD generator works stably under constant-current loading condition. In the present paper, effects of loading conditions on stability of the MHD generator are examined. A channel-length scale linear stability analysis and time-dependent calculations are carried out, where both gasdynamical boundary conditions and loading condition are taken into account. These analyses show that the MHD generator behaves stably under various loading conditions such as constant-voltage loading condition and ohmic loading condition. Then the stability of the MHD generator connected with an ac power system is also analyzed by time-dependent calculations. The analysis shows that the MHD generator stably provides the rated power to the ac power line. © 1999 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 128(4): 16–24, 1999