Numerical Investigation of Horizontal Magnetic Field Effect on the Flow Characteristics of Gallium Filled in a Vertical Annulus

Abstract

In the present numerical study, the effect of an external horizontal magnetic field on the natural convection of an electrically conducting molten metal (gallium) inside a vertical cylindrical crucible has been investigated. The effect of the external magnetic field is evaluated on the flow pattern and also the temperature field of molten gallium in the mold with an aspect ratio of A=1.0 and a radii ratio of λ=3.0. A series of simulations are carried out for Hartmann numbers of 0, 22.5, 112, and 167 and Rayleigh numbers of 104, 105, and 106. The obtained results show that for a given Rayleigh number, increasing the Hartmann number suppresses convection flows in all directions with different intensities. Moreover, it was found that the employed horizontal magnetic field leads to vanishing the axisymmetric pattern of flow structures. This is due to the formation of Roberts and Hartmann layers near the walls parallel (0° and 180°) and normal (90° and 270°) to the magnetic field, respectively. Additionally, it is found that the presence of the magnetic field results in the reduction of convection heat transfer. This reduction is lower in the 90° and 270° directions due to the development of Roberts layers near the walls parallel to an external magnetic field. Finally, the numerical results have been validated against the published reliable data.