Three-Dimensional Natural Convection in the Horizontal Bridgman Configuration Under Various Wall Electrical Conductivity and Magnetic Field

Abstract

A numerical investigation of the three-dimensional natural convection of a liquid metal contained in the horizontal Bridgman configuration, having an aspect ratio equal to 5 and submitted to an external magnetic field in either the longitudinal or vertical direction, is presented. The numerical approach is based on the finite-volume approximation. A computer program based on the SIMPLER algorithm is developed. The effect of a magnetic field provides a notable change on the flow and thermal structures. The strongest stabilization of the convection flow is found when the magnetic field is oriented vertically. Also, wall electrical conductivity has an effect on the average Nusselt number. A good agreement between our numerical simulations and experimental data found in the literature is obtained.

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of this work (doctorate thesis) through project N° J2501/03/57/06 provided by the Algerian Ministry of High Education and Scientific Research. The authors also take this opportunity to express sincere respect to the reviewers for theirs comments.

Notes

Here, the magnetic field is oriented in the x-direction and all walls are perfectly electrically conducting. Ra is the Rayleigh number.