US3660701A - Composite walls for mhd-generator ducts - Google Patents

Composite walls for mhd-generator ducts Download PDF

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Publication number
US3660701A
US3660701A US125634A US3660701DA US3660701A US 3660701 A US3660701 A US 3660701A US 125634 A US125634 A US 125634A US 3660701D A US3660701D A US 3660701DA US 3660701 A US3660701 A US 3660701A
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Prior art keywords
mhd
accordance
composite wall
main elements
wall
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US125634A
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English (en)
Inventor
Henri Blattmann
Jean Javellaud
David Yerouchaimi
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Commissariat a lEnergie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives CEA
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Commissariat a lEnergie Atomique CEA
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
    • H02K44/00—Machines in which the dynamo-electric interaction between a plasma or flow of conductive liquid or of fluid-borne conductive or magnetic particles and a coil system or magnetic field converts energy of mass flow into electrical energy or vice versa
    • H02K44/08—Magnetohydrodynamic [MHD] generators
    • H02K44/12—Constructional details of fluid channels

Definitions

  • the composite wall is constituted by an assembly of identical main elements each comprising at least one ceramic block Foreign Appncation priority m which is fitted in a metallic support.
  • the main elements are assembled together by means of trapezoidal prismatic spacer M21125, 1970 France "7010732 members which are fabricated from insulating refractory ceramic material and placed between corrugated stainless [52] US. Cl ..310/l1, 313/311 Steel sheets which permit a circulation of coolant gas in com [5 1] Int. Cl. t t ith h i elements [58] FieldofSearch ..3lO/ll;3l3/3ll,3l2,346
  • FIG. 1 A first figure.
  • COMPOSITE WALLS FOR MED-GENERATOR DUCTS This invention is concerned with improvements to the composite walls of a magnetohydrodynamic (MI-1D) generator duct, said improvements being applicable both to the electrodes and to the insulating walls.
  • MI-1D magnetohydrodynamic
  • Ml-ID generators In Ml-ID generators, substantial electric power losses are exhibited by some types of temperature-controlled hot walls which are constructed of ceramic elements, said elements being clamped between metallic side restraints which have a cooling function.
  • the composite electrodes of generators of this type are liable to be short-circuited. Under these conditions, the performance of the generator is poor and results in extremely low levels of MHD conversion efficiency. It will be noted in particular that the dangers of arc formation between different electrodes can lead to ultimate destruction of the conversion duct.
  • the aim of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages which have just been described.
  • the composite walls of a MHD- generator duct are constituted by an assembly of identical main elements each comprising several types of particular elements.
  • the characteristic feature of this arrangement lies in the fact that the main elements are assembled by means of trapezoidal prismatic spacer members which are fabricated from insulating refractory ceramic material and placed between two corrugated sheets, said sheets being formed especially of stainless steel.
  • Said trapezoidal prismatic spacer members of insulating and refractory ceramic material can be fabricated either from magnesia MgO or from strontium zirconate SrZrO Grooves for the purpose of circulating a coolant gas at low pressure can be formed in the metallic members which serve to support the corrugated stainless steel sheets.
  • the main elements of said walls can be divided into a plurality of sections by means of corrugated stainless steel sheets which are disposed transversely.
  • the invention is also concerned with a number of secondary arrangements which will be mentioned hereinafter and relate to one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a partial illustration of a composite electrode which entails the application ofthe invention and FIG. 2 is another partial illustration of a composite insulating wall.
  • FIG. 1 The application of the invention which is shown in FIG. 1 relates to the construction of a composite electrode 20.
  • Said electrode is made up of a plurality of identical main elements 24, 26 and 28, the last-mentioned element being shown in longitudinal cross-section and each main element being constituted by several types of particular elements.
  • a main element comprises current-collecting elements 30, 32, the external surfaces of which form part of said duct face.
  • the rear faces of said current-collecting elements are in contact with a rear component 34, 36 or 38 formed of copper and cooled by a water circulation passage 41 which is visible in the case of the main element 28.
  • Said components are rigidly fixed to threaded fastening rods 42, 44 and 46.
  • the ceramic currentcollecting elements 30, 32 are located between heat-insulating ceramic elements 48 and 50 or 52 and 54.
  • the elements of both types thus form ceramic blocks which are in contact with each other by means of platinum grids (not shown in the drawings). Said grids improve the transmission of electric current from the front of the electrode to the copper components.
  • the temperature of said grids must remain lower than l,700 C. in order to prevent melting.
  • the electrically conductive ceramic elements which perform the function of current collectors namely the elements 30, 32 of zirconia ZrO or lanthanum chromite LaCrO for example
  • the heatinsulating and electrically conductive ceramic elements namely the elements 48, 50 or 52, 54 or magnesia MgO or strontium zirconate SrZrO which are employed in a composite electrode structure are disclosed in the co-pending French patent application as filed in the name of the present Applicant in respect of MHD-generator electrode which is insensitive to the action of alkali-metal seed material.”
  • the assemblies consisting of current-collecting elements and insulating blocks as well as rear components of copper are securely held in position between metallic members 56, 58-60, 62-64, etc., the surfaces of said members which are in contact with the hot gases being made of stainless steel.
  • the members 56, 58-60, 62-64 are machined in a stainless steel and copper laminate.
  • the weld joints 66, 68, 70, 72 and 74 between the components which are partly composed of stainless steel and the copper components are therefore formed between the surfaces of the last-mentioned metal (copper) and very intimate contacts are thus established.
  • each main electrode element is such that the parts which are in contact with the gases are of stainless steel while those which are cooled are of copper.
  • the temperature at the external surface of the electrodes is not below the range of 950 C. to l,000 C. which stainless steels are capable of withstanding and is not lower than the temperature of liquefaction of the seed material.
  • the main elements 24, 26 and 28 of the composite electrode are assembled mechanically by means of prismatic spacer members 76 having a trapezoidal cross-section and formed of insulating refractory ceramic material. These elements are preferably fabricated from magnesia MgO or from strontium zirconate SrZrO Moreover, the alkali-metal salts which constitute the seed material are liable to migrate within the spacer members and to short-circuit the main elements which are intended to the insulated.
  • corrugated stainless steel sheets 78 are placed between the ceramic spacer members 76 and the supporting members 56, 58, 60, 62 and 64 which are partly made up of stainless steel. The thickness of said stainless steel sheets is comprised between 5/100 mm and 5/10 mm. Grooves 80 are formed in said members 56 64 in order to permit circulation of compressed air under low pressure along the grooves of said corrugated sheets.
  • the complete MHD-generator duct assembly is placed within a sealed enclosure into which air is blown under a pressure which is higher than atmospheric pressure by a few millimeters of mercury. Said air penetrates through the grooves 80, flows upwards along the corrugations of the stainless steel sheet 78 so that the droplets of seed material which may form between spacer members and corrugated sheets are continuously driven back into the hot gas stream which flows through the duct but without producing any disturbance within this latter (as a result of the low air pressure).
  • FIG. 2 relates to a portion of insulating wall which is also made up ofidentical main elements 102, 104 and 106, the element last mentioned being shown in longitudinal cross-section, each element being made up of several types of particular elements.
  • Each main element comprises parallelepipedal blocks 108, and these latter are each in contact with a copper component 112, 114, 116 which is cooled by means of a water circulation duct 118, 120 and 122.
  • Platinum grids (not shown) which are placed between the ceramic blocks ensure good thermal contact and the temperature of said grids must remain lower than l,700 C. in order to prevent melting.
  • the assemblies consisting of insulating ceramic blocks 108, 110 and of rear copper components 118, 120, 122 are clamped in position between the metallic members 123, 124, 126, 128 and 130, those surfaces of said members which are in contact with the hot gases being of stainless steel.
  • the abovementioned metallic members are machined in a stainless steelcopper laminate.
  • the welded joints 132, 134, 136, 138 and 140 between the members which are partly made of stainless steel and the copper components are therefore formed between surfaces of the last-mentioned metal (copper).
  • the wall elements 102, 104 or 106 are securely assembled together by means of a support piece 142, 144 or 146 in which is formed a groove, the copper component 118, 120 or 122 being intended to engage in said groove. Said support pieces rest on a metallic base 148.
  • the main elements 102, 104 and 106 of the composite wall are assembled mechanically by means of prismatic spacer members 150 of trapezoidal cross-section which are fabricated from electrically insulating and refractory ceramic material.
  • Said elements are preferably formed of magnesia MgO or of strontium zirconate SrZrO
  • Corrugated stainless steel sheets 152 are accordingly placed between the ceramic spacer members 150 and the parts 122, 124, 126, 128 and 130 of the metallic sup porting members which are partly formed of stainless steel. In this case also, the thickness of said sheets is comprised between 5/100 mm and 5/10 mm.
  • Corrugated stainless steel sheets 154 can be placed transversely to the main elements in order to divide these latter into a plurality of insulated sections.
  • the corrugated sheet-steel members 152 perform the function of springs which serve to compensate for expansion of the different elements between non-operating and operating temperatures.
  • a composite wall for a MHD-generator duct and constituted by an assembly of identical main elements each comprising at least one ceramic block in a metallic support, wherein the main elements are assembled by means of trapezoidal prismatic spacer members fabricated from insulating refractory ceramic material and located between corrugated sheets which are formed of stainless steel and permit a circulation of coolant gas in contact with said main elements.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
  • Connection Of Batteries Or Terminals (AREA)
US125634A 1970-03-25 1971-03-18 Composite walls for mhd-generator ducts Expired - Lifetime US3660701A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR7010732A FR2082735A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1970-03-25 1970-03-25

Publications (1)

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US3660701A true US3660701A (en) 1972-05-02

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US (1) US3660701A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2114231A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2082735A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3785744A (en) * 1971-03-31 1974-01-15 Alsacienne Atom Conduction pump for corrosive liquid metals
US4128776A (en) * 1976-11-29 1978-12-05 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Magnetohydrodynamic electrode
US4315169A (en) * 1979-11-08 1982-02-09 The United States Of America As Represented By The Scretary Of The Navy Staircase electrode-wall configuration for MHD generators

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4140931A (en) * 1977-08-08 1979-02-20 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Magnetohydrodynamic generator electrode

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3280349A (en) * 1963-10-21 1966-10-18 Westinghouse Electric Corp Magnetohydrodynamic generating system
US3432715A (en) * 1966-03-22 1969-03-11 Commissariat Energie Atomique Composite electrode for mhd conversion duct

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3280349A (en) * 1963-10-21 1966-10-18 Westinghouse Electric Corp Magnetohydrodynamic generating system
US3432715A (en) * 1966-03-22 1969-03-11 Commissariat Energie Atomique Composite electrode for mhd conversion duct

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3785744A (en) * 1971-03-31 1974-01-15 Alsacienne Atom Conduction pump for corrosive liquid metals
US4128776A (en) * 1976-11-29 1978-12-05 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Magnetohydrodynamic electrode
US4315169A (en) * 1979-11-08 1982-02-09 The United States Of America As Represented By The Scretary Of The Navy Staircase electrode-wall configuration for MHD generators

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2082735A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1971-12-10
DE2114231A1 (de) 1971-10-14

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