Liquid-metal MHD coupled to coal-fired fluidized-bed combustors. [LMMHD-steam binary cycle and LMMHD gas turbine dual cycle]

A continuing study of the two-phase liquid-metal MHD (LMMHD) concept coupled to a coal-fired fluidized-bed combustor was prompted by the results and conclusions of the Energy Conversion Alternatives Study, Phase I. In this paper the LMMHD concept is briefly described, and the results obtained to date in the ECAS study are summarized. Both the LMMHD-steam binary cycle and the LMMHD-gas turbine dual cycle are considered. Emphasis is placed on the more-recent results not included in the ECAS Phase I study; they are presented and discussed in detail. Based on these latest findings the economics of LMMHD systems are reconsidered.