Magnetohydrodynamic device and method for gas production in microgravity

A magnetohydrodynamic device configured for gas production and phase separation, the device comprising:

• a housing having a first side, a second side, and a sidewall defining an inner volume;
• one or more permanent magnets or electromagnetic source modules arranged adjacent to the sidewall and configured to generate static magnetic or electromagnetic fields directed radially inwards towards the inner volume;
• at least two electrodes, including a first electrode and a second electrode, disposed within the inner volume and spaced apart from each other in an axial direction;
• an inlet defined by an opening in the housing and configured to deliver a liquid to the inner volume;
• and
• an outlet defined in the housing at the first side and configured to expel a gas, generated from the liquid, from the inner volume;
• wherein a current is applied between the first and second electrodes (a), and in the static magnetic or electromagnetic field, to generate a Lorentz force in a direction perpendicular to both (i) the applied current and (ii) the static magnetic or electromagnetic fields, the Lorentz force exerting a circumferential acceleration on the liquid to form a vortical flow within the inner volume and (b) the first and second electrodes electrolyze the liquid to form the gas while the vortical flow urges the gas toward the outlet through the generation of centripetal acceleration.