Electromagnetic pumps and MHD generators

DC Electromagnetic Pumps (2014-2021)

Fig. DC electromagnetic pump designs: rectangular type schematic (top left), fabricated pump (top center), helical type schematic (top right), and MHD analysis results (bottom)

Sodium Fast Reactor Applications

Designed and analyzed rectangular, cylindrical, and helical-type DC electromagnetic pumps for liquid sodium circulation in GenIV sodium fast reactors. Comparative analysis was performed across various pump geometries, with detailed MHD investigations on magnetic flux density, current distribution, and Lorentz force characteristics.

Heavy-ion Accelerator Applications

Optimized a rectangular DC electromagnetic pump for liquid lithium circulation in a heavy-ion accelerator. The pump achieved 1.5 MPa developed pressure at 6 cm³/s flow rate for forming liquid lithium films used in uranium charge stripping.

MHD Generators (2018-2021)

Fig. Faraday-type MHD generator: schematic with De Laval nozzle (left) and power density distribution (right)

Numerically investigated Faraday-type MHD generators for combined MHD-turbine power generation, including a 10 kW design study and nitrogen-plasma flow analysis. The work examined electromagnetic, flow, and geometric parameters; the 10 kW value is a design target, not a measured electrical output.

Selected publications

G. Lee, H.R. Kim, “Numerical analysis of the electromagnetic force for design optimization of a rectangular direct current electromagnetic pump,” Nuclear Engineering and Technology, 50(6), 869-876, 2018. DOI
G. Lee, H.R. Kim, “The variable analysis of an MHD generator with electrical output of 10 kW for application to bi-plant method electricity generation,” International Journal of Energy Research, 44(10), 8125-8132, 2020. DOI
G. Lee, H.R. Kim, “Numerical study of Faraday-type nitrogen plasma magnetohydrodynamic generator,” Journal of the Korean Physical Society, 78(7), 600-606, 2021. DOI