Comments, with reply, on "Coupled fluid and electrodynamic analysis on MHD channel with nonuniform magnetic field" [with reply]

The authors of the above paper (ibid., vol.PS-14, no.4, p.444-53, Aug. 1986) developed a coupled fluid and electrodynamic computational method to treat a nonuniform two-dimensional magnetic field (SFC), and investigated high-current density applications including a comparison with conventional uniform magnetic fluid (UFC). They showed the possibility of the development of an unacceptable cathode anode asymmetry in the SFC-type channel downstream of a high-interaction MHD generator channel. The commenters point out a sign error in that paper and take issue with the result that the Hall current density, J/sub x/, vanishes on the electrodes. The authors concede that the comments of Oikawa and Kayukawa are valid near the walls, where the infinite segmentation assumption breaks down. The correct computation requires a fully three-dimensional treatment.<>