APPLICATION OF NOVEL FILTRATION TECHNOLOGIES TO A MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC PROCESS

A COMBUSTION-DRIVEN MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC (MHD) ELECTRIC POWER GENERATOR COMBINED WITH A STEAM POWERPLANT OFFERS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN EFFICIENCY OVER THAT OF THE CONVENTIONAL STEAM POWERPLANT. THE MHD PROCESS, HOWEVER, PRODUCES AN AEROSOL THAT IS DIFFICULT TO COLLECT BECAUSE OF HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF VERY SMALL PARTICLES (LESS THAN 1 MICROMETER). THIS RESULTS IN THE NEED FOR LARGE AND EXPENSIVE CONVENTIONAL PARTICULATE CONTROL EQUIPMENT. THE PHASE I RESEARCH IS INVESTIGATING NOVEL FABRICS AND FILTRATION TECHNIQUES TO PROVIDE EFFICIENT, COST-EFFECTIVE, ALTERNATIVE POLLUTION CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR MHD GENERATORS AND FOCUSES ON STATE-OF-THE-ART PULSE JET BAGHOUSE FABRICS AND A NOVEL CERAMIC FILTER. BOTH OF THESE CONTROL STRATEGIES HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO PROVIDE A SMALLER, MORE EFFICIENT, LESS EXPENSIVE POLLUTION CONTROL DEVICE THAT WILL IMPROVE THE ECONOMICS OF THE MHD PROCESS.