Study of the MHD Power-Generation System Using Two-phase Flows of Temperature-Sensitive Electrically Conducting Magnetic Fluids (Analysis of Flow Characteristics in a Pipe and the Power-Generation Characteristics)

A theoretical study is carried out to clarify the possibility of the application of the temperature -sensitive electrically conducting magnetic fluid to the working fluid in a liquid-metal MHD power -generation system. The equations governing a one-dimensional boiling two-phase duct flow of liquid-metal-based magnetic fluid which contains Fe-Ni alloy particles in a transverse magnetic field are numerically solved. The analytical results of the boiling two-phase flow characteristics and power-generation characteristics of the magnetic fluid are compared with those of an electrically conducting nonmagnetic fluid. It is found that better driving force or power-generation characteristics are obtained using the temperature-sensitive electrically conducting magnetic fluid as a working fluid. These results on the characteristics of the electrically conducting magnetic fluid will contribute to the development of a new MHD power-generation system using boiling two-phase magnetic fluid flows.