Switching of electrodes in the end zone of a series MHD generator

The effect of the commutation scheme of segmented electrodes in the end zones of a series single-load duct on the local and integral characteristics of the generator is investigated. A numerical solution of the two-dimensional electrodynamic problem is obtained for the end zone of a duct with a homogeneous flow. It is shown on the basis of an analysis of the integral characteristics of the duct that maximum efficiency of energy conversion is achieved with a commutation angle of the short-circuited segmented electrodes descreasing in the stray field of the magnet.