Analyses of Nonequilibrium MHD Power Generation Experiments with Helium Working Gas

The experimental data in the FUJI-1 closed cycle MHD generator with helium working gas have been discussed by a quasi-one dimensional numerical simulation based on two temperature model. The effects of large fluid loss in the generator and of insufficient plasma condition at the generator inlet are analyzed by assuming the large apparent skin friction coefficient in channel and low electron temperature and density at the inlet, respectively. It may be concluded that the main cause of unexpected experimental results is ascribed to the undesirable plasma growth from various experimental cause.