As far as I could understand:
- Cold Plasma or Nonthermal plasma is normally used to sterylize equipment, generally using an inert gass, such as helium or argon with a small percentage of oxygen.
- This is achieved by using low voltage and high frequency AC to generate radiowaves inside a dielectric tube, ionizing the flowing gas.
However, I couldn't find a single article experimenting with the idea of using cold plasma as the working medium for Magnetohydrodynamic Generators and even Atmospheric Plasmodynamic Thrusters.
I don't know if it would be as efficient as conventional MHD generators, but using cold plasma would allow for the components on the system to last longer under less extreme conditions.
Cold plasma is particularly useful in low-temperature MHD applications, where traditional high-temperature plasmas may not be feasible due to material limitations or inefficiencies. However, challenges include plasma generation and control, and careful study of the effects of cold plasma on materials used in MHD generators. Current research into cold plasma for MHD generators is in its early stages, with ongoing studies focusing on theoretical models or experimental setups to understand how it can be integrated into the system for optimal performance.
Per an AI request:
In a Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator, "cold plasma" is used by creating a non-equilibrium plasma where only the electrons are significantly heated, while the main gas remains at a much lower temperature, allowing for efficient power generation without excessive thermal damage to the generator walls; this is achieved by "seeding" the working gas with easily ionizable elements like cesium or potassium, which get excited by an external energy source, creating a plasma with high electrical conductivity even at relatively low temperatures compared to a "hot plasma" scenario.
- Badges
- Science topic