Experimental investigation and theoretical analysis of two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic effects in a rectangular duct

It is important that magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow velocity distribution i n the cross section of a duct be related to materials compatibility, heat t ransfer, and MHD pressure drop. The first experimental results are given of the velocity distribution across the rectangular duct on the center plane and of the two-dimensional (2-D) MHD pressure drop effect due to the 2-D ve locity distribution. The results show that both the boundary and core veloc ity distributions on the center plane of the duct increase with an increase of the Hartmann number M. However, the approach theory expected the core v elocity distribution to decrease with an increase of M. The 2-D effect fact or for the MHD pressure drop due to the 2-D velocity distribution was also carried out. This explains why the numerical results of the MHD pressure dr op gradient are lower than in the experiments. Theoretical analysis of the 2-D and three-dimensional effects on the velocity distribution and MHD pres sure drop is also included.