The behaviour of gas bubbles in a turbulent liquid metal magnetohydrodynamic flow - Part II: Magnetic field influence on the slip ratio

The influence of a steady, homogeneous magnetic field on the slip ratio in a liquid metal bubbly flow is investigated. A one-dimensional model has bee n developed describing the motion of a multitude of bubbles in a magnetohyd rodynamic flow. Calculations are presented for magnetic fields directed tra nsverse or parallel to the mean flow direction. While in the longitudinal c ase the slip decreases monotonously with the growing magnetic field, it als o decreases initially, passes a minimum and increases again if (B) over rig ht arrow is directed transverse to the flow. In order to validate the theor etical predictions, experiments are performed in liquid metal flows exposed to a transverse or a longitudinal magnetic field. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scienc e Ltd. All rights reserved.