Unbalanced ionization MHD power generation

Phenomena of ionization instability, the control of current distribution in ducts, and the measurement of characteristics of plasma in the study of unbalanced ionization MHD power generation were investigated. At first, the characteristics of the unbalanced ionization MHD power generation is explained. Then, the ionization instability is described. The ionization instability is caused by the existence of neutral seed atoms in the plasma, apt to cause unbalanced ionization and the perfect ionization of the seed atoms suppresses the instability. However, this is still incomplete for the suppression. The problem of the instability is best evaluated from the viewpoint of electrical output. The effect of ionization instability is reduced when plasma pressure approaches to practical pressure. Current distribution in ducts is discussed the calculation of the current distribution is described. It is necessary to make the current homogeneous. The analysis of the optimum shape of resistive electrodes was made. Measurement of electron temperature, electron density and seed fraction were performed. (Kato, T.)