Investigation on a low-melting-point gallium alloy MHD power generator

A magnetic hydrodynamic (MHD) power generator using an electro-conductive low-melting-point gallium alloy is introduced. An experimental setup is designed and established to investigate its performance with aids of numerical simulations. Theoretical derivations based on Faraday Law are also presented as a theoretical foundation of the present study. It is found that the electric output increases with flow velocity, magnetic strength and electric conductivity, and the theoretical predictions and numerical results are in good agreement with the experimentally measured data. It is understood that in order to obtain a practical power generation, priority should be put on increasing fluid flow velocity and magnetic field strength. The present MHD power generation system has shown to be operated reliably in a long time at room temperature and could be used as a micro-distributed energy supply system for domestic use in the future. Copyright (C) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.