Electricity from MHD, 1968. Vol. IV. Open-Cycle MHD. Proceedings of a Symposium on Magnetohydrodynamic Electrical Power Generation

Proceedings of a Symposium on Magnetohydrodynamic Electrical Power Generation held by the IAEA at Warsaw, 24-30 July 1968. The meeting was attended by some 300 participants from 21 countries and three international organizations. In contrast to the Symposium held two years ago, much more emphasis was placed on the economic aspects of using MHD generators in large-scale power generation. Among closed- cycle systems, the prospects of linking an ultra-high-temperature reactor with an MHD generator were explored, and the advantages gained by having a liquid-metal generator as a 'topper' in a conventional steam generating plant were presented. Comments were made about the disproportionate effect of end and boundary conditions in experimental MHD generators on the main plasma parameters, and estimates were made of the interrelationship to be expected in real generators. The estimates will have to await confirmation until results are obtained on large-scale prototype MHD systems. Progress in materials research, in design and construction of auxiliary equipment such as heat exchangers, supercooled magnets (which are- now commercially available), etc., is accompanied by sophisticated ideas of plant design. The Proceedings are complemented by three Round Table Discussions in which chosen experts from various countries discuss the outlook for closed-cycle gas, closed-cycle liquid-metal and open-cycle MHD, and give their views as to the most fruitful course to follow to achieve economic full-scale power generation. Contents: (Vol. I) 1. Closed-Cycle MHD with Gaseous Working Fluids: (a) Diagnostics (3 papers); (b) Steady-state non-equilibrium ionization (8 papers); (c) Transient non-equilibrium ionization (7 papers); (d) Pre-ionization and gas discharge (4 papers); (e) Fields and flow in MHD channels (10 papers); (0 Instabilities (8 papers); (g) Generator design and performance studies (6 papers); (Vol. II) (h) Shock waves (6 papers); (i) Power generation experiments (13 papers); (j) Unconventional working fluids and concepts (11 papers); (k) Power plant concepts and economics (4 papers). (Vol. III). 2. Closed-Cycle MHD with liquid-Metal Working Fluids: (a) Diagnostics and fluid properties (7 papers); (b) Fluid acceleration (11 papers); (c) MHD losses (10 papers); (d) Generator design and performance studies (7 papers); (e) Generator experiments; Power plant concepts and economics (6 papers). (Vol. IV) 3. Open-Cycle MHD: (a) Diagnostics and fluid properties (14 papers); (b) Fields and flow in MHD channels; Boundary layers (10 papers); (c) Striated flow MHD systems (4 papers); (d) Generator design and performance studies (8 papers); (e) Power generation experiments (6 papers); (Vol. V) (f) Power plant concepts and economics (6 papers); (g) Electrodes and insulating materials (19 papers); (h) Auxiliary equipment (heat exchangers, combustion chambers, seeding techniques, magnets) (12 papers). (Vol. VI) Invited Lecture - Superconducting magnets for MHD generators; Rapporteurs Statements; Discussions; Round Table Discussions. The contributed papers are reproduced in their original languages (99 English, 38 French, 62 Russian, 1 Spanish). Each paper is preceded by an abstract in English with a second one in the original language if this is not English. The final volume, Vol. VI, containing the invited lecture, the 25 Rapporteurs' Statements with the ensuing discussions, and the three Round Table Discussions, is entirely in English. In this volume also are repeated the contents lists of the preceding five volumes to simplify referencing, and there are a List of Participants, Author and Transliteration Indexes, and a Pre-Print Symbol Index. (author)