INERTIAL EFFECTS ON ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTING FLUIDS IN THE PRESENCE OFTRANSVERSE MAGNETIC-FIELDS - AN EXAMPLE PROBLEM

When an electric current Bowing within a conducting fluid crosses magn etic field lines, a body force is created, which may significantly aff ect the motion of the fluid. This paper treats the flow of a conductin g fluid in a toroidal duct. A transverse magnetic field is present, an d a portion of one surface of the toroidal duct serves as an electrode . Numerical solutions are presented which illustrate the effect of the electromagnetic body forces and inertial effects on the motion of the fluid. Under the conditions specified, in the absence of a magnetic f ield, the fluid would remain stagnant, as there is no mechanism to dri ve the flow. (C) 1997 AEA Technology pie. Published by Elsevier Scienc e Ltd.