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Laboratory Characterization of a Liquid Metal MHD Generator for Ocean Wave Energy Conversion

Author

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  • José Carlos Domínguez-Lozoya

    (Instituto de Energías Renovables, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, A. P. 34, Temixco, Morelos 62580, Mexico)

  • Sergio Cuevas

    (Instituto de Energías Renovables, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, A. P. 34, Temixco, Morelos 62580, Mexico)

  • David Roberto Domínguez

    (Instituto de Energías Renovables, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, A. P. 34, Temixco, Morelos 62580, Mexico)

  • Raúl Ávalos-Zúñiga

    (CICATA-Querétaro, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Cerro Blanco 141, Colinas del Cimatario, Santiago de Querétaro 76090, Mexico)

  • Eduardo Ramos

    (Instituto de Energías Renovables, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, A. P. 34, Temixco, Morelos 62580, Mexico)

Abstract

Harnessing ocean wave energy is an old challenge that has gained momentum in recent years. In this paper, we present the flow and electrical characterization of a prototype of an alternate liquid metal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator at a laboratory scale which has the potential to make use of the energy of marine waves for its conversion into electrical energy. The eutectic alloy Galinstan, used as a working fluid, was driven in oscillatory motion in a duct of a rectangular cross-section exposed to a transverse magnetic field generated by permanent neodymium magnets. The electric current induced by the motion of the liquid metal in the magnetic field was collected through copper electrodes and delivered to the load. The oscillatory axial velocity component along the duct was measured using ultrasonic Doppler velocimetry for different oscillation frequencies. In turn, the output currents and voltages were measured for different operation conditions and the electric power and efficiency were estimated from experimental measurements. The coupling of this generator to a wave energy converter (WEC) is discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • José Carlos Domínguez-Lozoya & Sergio Cuevas & David Roberto Domínguez & Raúl Ávalos-Zúñiga & Eduardo Ramos, 2021. "Laboratory Characterization of a Liquid Metal MHD Generator for Ocean Wave Energy Conversion," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-17, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:9:p:4641-:d:540856
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Aleix Maria-Arenas & Aitor J. Garrido & Eugen Rusu & Izaskun Garrido, 2019. "Control Strategies Applied to Wave Energy Converters: State of the Art," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-19, August.
    2. López, Iraide & Andreu, Jon & Ceballos, Salvador & Martínez de Alegría, Iñigo & Kortabarria, Iñigo, 2013. "Review of wave energy technologies and the necessary power-equipment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 413-434.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhu, Shunmin & Wang, Tong & Jiang, Chao & Wu, Zhanghua & Yu, Guoyao & Hu, Jianying & Markides, Christos N. & Luo, Ercang, 2023. "Experimental and numerical study of a liquid metal magnetohydrodynamic generator for thermoacoustic power generation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 348(C).
    2. Ni, Wenchi & Jiang, Junchuan & Huang, Haijun & Tian, Gengqing & Ma, Yong, 2025. "Research on a vortex-induced vibration monitoring sensor technology based on triboelectric nanogenerator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 325(C).
    3. Arturs Brekis & Antoine Alemany & Olivier Alemany & Augusto Montisci, 2021. "Space Thermoacoustic Radioisotopic Power System, SpaceTRIPS: The Magnetohydrodynamic Generator," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-19, December.
    4. Lingzhi Zhao & Aiwu Peng, 2025. "Wave Energy Conversion Technology Based on Liquid Metal Magnetohydrodynamic Generators and Its Research Progress," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-24, August.
    5. Jiang, Chao & Wang, Tong & Zhu, Shunmin & Yu, Guoyao & Wu, Zhanghua & Luo, Ercang, 2023. "A method to optimize the external magnetic field to suppress the end current in liquid metal magnetohydrodynamic generators," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    6. Zeng, Fanqin & Wang, Tao & Li, Jiarong, 2025. "Origami-inspired dual-mode wave energy harvesting for ocean buoys," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).
    7. Lingzhi Zhao & Aiwu Peng, 2025. "Review of Conductive Reciprocating Liquid Metal Magnetohydrodynamic Generators," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-19, February.
    8. Antoine Alemany & Arturs Brekis & Augusto Montisci, 2023. "A Liquid Metal Alternate MHD Disk Generator," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-18, August.
    9. Liu, Zhan & Zhang, Yilun & Lv, Xinyu & Zhang, Yao & Liu, Junwei & Su, Chuanqi & Liu, Xianglei, 2023. "An electricity supply system by recovering the waste heat of commercial aeroengine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    10. José Carlos Domínguez-Lozoya & David Roberto Domínguez-Lozoya & Sergio Cuevas & Raúl Alejandro Ávalos-Zúñiga, 2024. "MHD Generation for Sustainable Development, from Thermal to Wave Energy Conversion: Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-21, November.

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