Effect of velocity profile models on the gasdynamic voltage drop in open-cycle MHD generators

In MHD generator channels, the actual gas flow is often approximated by a certain hydraulic flow model which requires an appropriate empirical velocity profile model. The existence of a general 1/m-power law for the velocity profile with m varying from 6 to 8 in small-scale MHD generator channels has been discussed. The effect of change in m giving rise to various velocity profiles on the gasdynamic voltage drop has been studied. It is found that the gasdynamic voltage drop is affected considerably by changing the power law for the velocity profile, demanding an appropriate velocity profile model for the analysis of data. (author)