Design and optimization of an MHD energy harvester for intelligent pipe systems

Abstract

In this thesis, an innovative Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) energy harvester with the use of the magnetic concentrator is designed and optimized. A theoretical model relating the conductivity of water, magnetic flux density B, flow velocity u and the channel volume to the power output is first established. This leads to the decoupled analysis and simulations of magnetic field and flow field. The prototyped energy harvester without the concentrator achieves a power output of 442 nW, while the power output of the final design with the concentrator is expected to be 718.5 nW. The concept of another MHD energy harvester with a spiral flow diverter is also established with hollow space in the middle of the energy harvester for flow and robots to pass through. It is validated by CFD simulations that the flow velocity in the channel surrounding the hollow area is greatly amplified with the spiral flow diverter. The MHD energy harvester with the concentrators and spiral flow divereter is expected to produce power output of 238.3 nW.