Magneto-plasma-dynamic generator and method of operating the generator

A magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) generator comprising:

• a conveying duct shaped for conveying a high velocity, conductive fluid;
• a magnetic field generator arranged to generate a magnetic field across the conveying duct, substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the fluid, such that the fluid passes through the magnetic field when conveyed by the duct;
• electrodes arranged to conduct a current induced in the fluid as it is conveyed by the conveying duct through the magnetic field;
• and
• a fluid break-down circuit arranged to electrically break-down the fluid by developing an additional voltage across the electrodes, the fluid break-down circuit includes a first inductor and a voltage source connected to the first inductor for generating the additional voltage across the first inductor;
• and wherein the electrodes of the MPD generator are provided in parallel to the first inductor and short-circuit the first inductor when the additional voltage causes the electrical breakdown of the fluid between the electrodes, wherein the fluid break-down circuit includes a resonant circuit, the resonant circuit comprises a capacitor, wherein the capacitor and the first inductor are the resonant circuit and wherein the resonant circuit is configured to be in electrical resonance with the voltage supplied by the voltage source and wherein the capacitor and the first inductor are arranged in series.