A magneto-hydrodynamic analysis of liquid metal flows in the conducting and insulating wall ducts using a finite element tool

Abstract

In various fusion reactors, a liquid conducting metal has been considered an ideal breeder and a coolant. The magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) analysis of liquid metal flow in a typical square duct plays a major role in designing reactor components. Conducting fluid flow induces an eddy current in a magnetic field, which, produces electromagnetic force leading to high MHD pressure drop. The electrical conductivity of the walls substantially affects the number of liquid metal flows and forces produced due to eddy current, producing severe pressure drop in it. To reduce the effect of eddy current and MHD pressure drop, the time-varying electromagnetic FE analysis has been carried out for electromagnetic forces and computational fluid dynamic analysis in the coupled field environment with conducting wall ducts and with insulated walls. FEA results are compared with analytically calculated parameters and validated.

KEYWORDS:

• Magneto-hydrodynamics
• finite element analysis
• finite element method
• liquid metal
• pressure drop
• uniform magnetic field

Acknowledgements

All authors have contributed to this manuscript and they have approved the final manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).