Electrodynamic seawater jet: an alternative to the propeller?

A seawater jet engine is discussed which differs from standard MHD (magnetohydrodynamic) propulsion in that it does not employ a magnet, relying instead on the ampere forces of reaction between solid (electrode) and liquid (seawater) current elements. The jet propulsive force is proportional to the square of the current. To permit the flow of sufficiently large electronic currents, the saltwater has to be broken down and converted to a water-arc plasma. To better understand the force system which gives rise to the jets in fluid conductors, the author considers two experiments involving liquid mercury instead of seawater: the copper submarine and the liquid mercury fountain. A seawater jet engine that is based on the experimental results for the liquid mercury fountain and the water-arc launcher is proposed.<
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