ELECTROMAGNETIC PROPULSION

SHAURYA PRASAD SHAHI

II SEM
Electromagnetic phenomena are found continuously
in a plethora of natural and industrial settings like
the motion of nano-bots to activation of giant sized
generators and are well defined by Maxwells
equations. One of the most fascinating uses of
electromagnetism is ELECTROMAGNETIC
PROPULSION (EMP).
EMP is the principle of accelerating an object by the
utilization of a flowing electrical current and
magnetic fields. The electric current is used to either
create an opposing magnetic field, or to charge a
fluid, which can then be repelled. It is well known
that when a current flows through a conductor in a
magnetic field, an electromagnetic force is
developed, that pushes the conductor in a direction
perpendicular to the conductor and the magnetic
field. This repulsing force is what causes propulsion
in a system. The term electromagnetic propulsion
(EMP) can be described by its individual
components: electromagnetic- using electricity to
create a magnetic field, and propulsion- the process
of propelling something. One major difference
between EMP and propulsion achieved by electric
motors is that the electrical energy used for EMP is
not used to produce rotational energy for motion;
though both use magnetic fields and a flowing
electrical current.
Electromagnetic propulsion is utilized in
transportation systems to minimize friction and
maximize speed over long distances. This has
mainly been implemented in high-speed rail
systems that use a linear induction motor to power
trains by magnetic currents. Current applications
can be seen in Maglev trains that are successfully
operating in China & Japan and military rail-guns.
Other applications that remain not widely used or
still in development include ion thruster for low
orbiting satellites and magneto hydrodynamic drive
for ships and submarines. They are also used in

assembly of a Linear Induction Motor and in flying

of a spacecraft.
In a Maglev Train the primary coil assembly lies
below the reaction plate. There is a 1 to 10 cm air
gap between that eliminates friction, allowing for
speeds up to 500 km/h. An alternating electric
current is supplied to coils, which creates a change
in polarity of magnetic field. This pulls the train
forward from the front, and thrusts the train forward
from the back.
A railgun is an electrically powered electromagnetic
projectile launcher based on similar principles to
the homopolar motor. It comprises a pair of parallel
conducting rails, along which a sliding armature is
accelerated by the electromagnetic effects of a
current that flows down one rail, into the armature
and then back along the other rail. Railguns are
being researched as a weapon with a projectile that
would not use explosives nor propellant, but rather
rely on electromagnetic forces to achieve a very
high kinetic energy.
A magnetohydrodynamicdrive or MHD propulsor is
a method for propelling vessels using only electric
and magnetic fields with nonmoving,
using magneto hydrodynamics. The working
principle involves electrification of the propellant
(gas or water) which can then be directed by a

magnetic field, pushing the vehicle in the opposite

direction. MHDs are currently being researched on
for both ship and spacecraft propulsion.