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How do pulsed MHD generators create short bursts of electrical power?

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magnetohydrodynamic power generator Comparison of the operating principles of (A) a turbogenerator and (B) an MHD generator.

Pulsed magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generators are designed to provide short, high-intensity bursts of electrical power for specialized applications, such as geophysical research. Unlike continuous-duty systems, these generators typically consist of a rocket motor, a duct, a magnet, and connections to an electrical load.1

The process functions by utilizing the high-energy output of the rocket motor to accelerate an electrically conducting gas through a magnetic field. As this gas passes through the duct, the interaction between the moving fluid and the magnetic field induces an electromotive force, which is then captured as electrical current via electrodes. By using a rocket motor as the primary energy source, these systems can achieve significant power levels—up to 100 megawatts—for durations lasting a few seconds.123