Modelling of a combustible ionised gas in thermal power plants using MHD conversion system in South Africa

The generation of electric power through the conventional conversion systems may no longer be sufficient to keep pace with the increasing electricity usage and demands. Therefore, an enhancement to these systems can be made by incorporating a topping unit to the existing power plants (thermal, hydroelectric), a direct energy conversion system. Among such is the Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) system. In an MHD conversion system, electricity is generated when heat energy is converted into electrical energy without the use of mechanical rotating parts. Additionally, the heat energy (ionised gas) required inside the MHD system usually comes from the combustion of fossil fuels. However, this system is still under development in developing countries like South Africa. The current study aims to investigate through simulations and theoretical modelling two existing Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGT) in South Africa (Ankerlig and Gourikwa), which can be converted into Combined-Cycle MHD Gas-Steam Turbines (CCMGST). The processes involved by incorporating the MHD system with these conventional turbines have been further discussed. With setting up a CCMGST in South Africa, the obtained modelling results project an additional generation of electric power which will further improve the existing power generation.