Analysis on Plasma Performances of Inert Gas Magnetohydrodynamic Generator

Inert gas magnetohydrodynamic generator converts heat energy to electricity directly, and there is no mechanical interface for speed change that is usually used in conventional devices. It has the characteristics of high conversion efficiency and high power density, etc. Plasma performance is one of the key factors that affect the output of inert gas magnetohydrodynamic generator. In this paper, three kinds of electrical conductivity calculation models (Spitzer, Z&L and M&G) were introduced firstly. Then an electrical conductivity model suitable for inert gas was established based on the ionization process of seed with inert gas. Finally the effects of temperature and pressure on the properties of the plasma were studied.