The Red Brick Times

Remember The Hunt for Red October? The boat was propelled by a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) drive, or "caterpillar". This property really works, but in order to build economical ships with the science, better (higher temperature) superconductors need to be developed so the MONSTER magnetic field required can be created from the HUGE electric current flow produced by the GARGANTUAN generators run on steam made in the nuclear reactors (or oil boilers) in the boat that Nimitz built. The highest accepted current superconduction temperature is 138Kelvin (-212 F). Nitrogen liquifies at 77K.

MHD science is understandable with some basic explanation. No calculus or Maxwell's equations are required. Just some basic algebra, a nod to Isaac Newton, and the concept about how electrical fields, magnetic fields , and the propulsive force operate at right angles to one another. That can be visualized easily by using one hand. Go to Magnetohydrodynamics and the Lorentz Force Law, A Presentation for Grade 12 Physics Students. Also go and look at RmCybernetics -MagnetoHydroDynamic Thruster to get a better sense of the potential implementation. Mitsubishi built an experimental MHD boat, the Yamato 1 a decade ago.

Another related technology is used in linear propulsion motors on high speed maglev (magnetic levitation) trains. Linear motors use the "likes repel/opposites attract" magnetic field interactions to move things along. One form of linear motor is used in a linear particle accelerator. Linear motors have been proposed for railguns that could launch projectiles, or possibly cargo destined for orbit.
Posted 12:00 PM by Andy (4) comments

       Comments:

Sounds like a high-powered version of the Ionic Breeze air purifier that you can buy at Target.

# posted by  A. O. : January 13, 2007 11:34 AM
 
Yes! Electrostatic precipitation has some of the same characteristics, but without being aimed or restricted to a specific region. All the power generation plants use electrostatic precipitation and other methods to take the dirty nasties out of the exhaust that goes up the smokestack. These days, it is more of a "steam stack".

# posted by  Andy : January 13, 2007 5:31 PM
 
Why can't they use a system like that to clean auto exhaust? Use a turbo powered by the exhaust stream to generate the current and then dump the exhaust into a box full of electrostatic elements. Could double as a muffler. Other elements in "The Box" could extract waste heat to warm intake air or provide some other function that heat might be useful for resulting in a nearly cold emission.

That last idea is generated by my current thinking that a large part of our enviro/pollution problem is excess heat generation, i.e. low efficiency technologies, and any heat that can be captured will reduce overall impact. I also think that pavement is becoming a major issue. Not just its lack of porosity but its function as a heat sink and remitter of random energy. Any chance of a photosynthetic paving material anytime soon?

# posted by  A. O. : January 14, 2007 2:26 PM
 
Electrostatic precipitation only works for particulates wihin a specific size range, and depends on the gas flow volume, temperature, humidity being constant. Gasoline engines do not emit particulates, but diesel engines do. Vehicle engines vary speed and gas flow rates constantly, and the chemistry "in the box" changes with temperature and weather. The diesel researchers are working on particulate traps to make engines cleaner. They grab the teeny bits and have to be recharged regularly to burn the soot out. High temperature running can do this, so when the engine conditions are right, the computer increases burn conditions to raise exhaust gas temperature. This also increases NOx emissions, but if it only lasts for a few minutes every hour, there is still a net gain in overall exhaust quality.

Thermal pollution is a fact of creating order and forcing entropy to run uphill. Thermal plumes in air, water and the underground acquifer all are the scent trails of industrialization, central heating, electrical distribution and transportation. The multi-megawatts shed by city pavement and rooftops on a hot summer day can change the climate and rainfall patterns in the region.

# posted by  Andy : January 14, 2007 3:05 PM
 
Post a Comment


---