Parametric study and optimisation of the channel in marine magnetohydrodynamic thrusters

ABSTRACT

In this study, the effect of the channel dimensions on the performance of a marine MHD thruster is investigated using a fully three-dimensional numerical model. In this model, all electric, magnetic and fluid flow fields are considered in three dimensions. In addition, a simple analytical model is developed for comparison purpose and an optimisation method is proposed for the channel design to achieve the maximum efficiency and power density. The results show that at a specific output power and flow rate, the channel dimensions can be optimised to achieve the maximum efficiency or output power density, but not both.

KEYWORDS:

• Magnetohydrodynamic thruster
• optimisation
• numerical simulation
• three-dimensional modelling
• marine propulsion

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.