Influence of Magnetic Field on Boiling of Stagnant Potassium

Abstract

The influence of a magnetic field on the boiling of stagnant potassium was experimentally studied in the range of field intensity from 0 to 0.7 Tesla under low pressure cover gas. The results indicated that incipient boiling superheat and the location of boiling inception were not influenced by the magnetic field. On the other hand, the magnetic field very appreciably impeded the motion of the liquid column supported above the vapor bubble after boiling was initiated. Another effect of the magnetic field proved to be inhibition of vapor condensation in the void space during the period of descend of the liquid column. As a result the vapor in the void space remained uncondensed, to serve as permanent cushion for the liquid column, which maintained an oscillatory motion, to which corresponding oscillations were registered in the pressure and temperature of the vapor bubble, which changed along the vapor saturation line.