MHD Generation for Sustainable Development, from Thermal to Wave Energy Conversion: Review

José Carlos Domínguez-Lozoya, David Roberto Domínguez-Lozoya, Sergio Cuevas () and Raúl Alejandro Ávalos-Zúñiga
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José Carlos Domínguez-Lozoya: Facultad de Ciencias Físico-Matemáticas, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Ciudad Universitaria, Culiacán 80000, Mexico
David Roberto Domínguez-Lozoya: Facultad de Ciencias Físico-Matemáticas, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Ciudad Universitaria, Culiacán 80000, Mexico
Sergio Cuevas: Instituto de Energías Renovables, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, A. P. 34, Temixco 62580, Mexico
Raúl Alejandro Ávalos-Zúñiga: CICATA-Querétaro, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Cerro Blanco 141, Colinas del Cimatario, Santiago de Querétaro 76090, Mexico

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-21

Abstract: Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generators are direct energy conversion devices that transform the motion of an electrically conducting fluid into electricity through interaction with a magnetic field. Developed as an alternative to conventional turbine-generator systems, MHD generators evolved through the 20th century from large units, which are intended to transform thermal energy into electricity using plasma as a working fluid, to smaller units that can harness heat from a variety of sources. In the last few decades, an effort has been made to develop energy conversion systems that incorporate MHD generators to harvest renewable sources such as solar and ocean energy, strengthening the sustainability of this technology. This review briefly synthesizes the main steps in the evolution of MHD technology for electricity generation, starting by outlining its physical principles and the proposals to convert thermal energy into electricity, either using a high-temperature plasma as a working fluid or a liquid metal in a one- or two-phase flow at lower temperatures. The use of wave energy in the form of acoustic waves, which were obtained from the conversion of thermal energy through thermoacoustic devices coupled to liquid metal and plasma MHD generators, as well as alternatives for the transformation of environmental energy resources employing MHD transducers, is also assessed. Finally, proposals for the conversion of ocean energy, mainly in the form of waves and tides, into electric energy, through MHD generators using either seawater or liquid metal as working fluids, are presented along with some of the challenges of MHD conversion technology.

Keywords: MHD power generation; renewable energies; wave energy; liquid metal; direct energy conversion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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