How does a magnetohydrodynamic generator produce electricity from hot moving gas?

A magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator produces electricity by directly converting the kinetic energy of a hot, electrically conducting gas (or plasma) into electric energy.1

The process follows these steps:

• Acceleration: Hot gas, typically produced by burning fossil fuel, is accelerated through a nozzle to high speeds (1,000 to 2,000 meters per second) and injected into a channel.12
• Ionization: To ensure the gas is sufficiently conductive, a small amount of an easily ionizable alkali material, known as a "seed" (such as cesium or potassium), is added.2
• Induction: A powerful magnetic field is applied across the channel. In accordance with Faraday’s law of induction, the movement of the conductive gas through this field creates an electromotive force perpendicular to both the gas flow and the magnetic field.12
• Collection: Electrodes lining the channel walls collect this current and deliver it to an external electric circuit.2

Unlike conventional turbines, which rely on mechanical rotation, MHD systems operate at much higher temperatures, offering the potential for significantly higher efficiency.12