Interaction of Vertical Convection with an Electromagnetically Forced Flow

TL;DR

This study investigates how vertical convection interacts with electromagnetic forces in a low-Prandtl-number fluid, revealing flow pattern transitions, heat transfer regimes, and optimal conditions for minimal isotherm deformation through simulations and experiments.

Contribution

It provides new insights into flow pattern transitions and heat transfer behavior in electromagnetically influenced vertical convection of low-Prandtl-number fluids.

Findings

Identified three flow pattern regimes based on interaction parameter N.

Determined transition zones from natural convection to electromagnetic stirring.

Found optimal F/Gr range for minimal isotherm deviation.

Abstract

Heat and momentum transfer of low-Prandtl-number fluid ($Pr=0.029$) in a closed rectangular cavity ($100\times60\times10$ mm$^3$) heated at one side and cooled at the opposite side are analyzed. The electromagnetic forces into the liquid metal are generated by the travelling magnetic field inductor and directed towards buoyancy forces. Large eddy simulations are performed with the Grashof number $Gr$ from $1.9\cdot 10^5$ to $7.6\cdot 10^7$ and the electromagnetic forcing parameter $F$ from $2.6\cdot 10^4$ to $2.6\cdot10^6$. An experimental validation of the simulation results of vertical convection and electromagnetically driven flow using GaInSn alloy has been performed. Three types of flow patterns are obtained for different interaction parameters $ N = F / Gr $: counterclockwise flow, clockwise flow, and coexistence of two vortices. Analysis of the Reynolds number shows that the transition zone from natural convection to electromagnetic stirring lies in the range $0.02<F/Gr<0.07$ and two braking modes are found. The transition point between the convective heat transfer regimes is found for $ F / Gr $ around 1. The analysis of isotherms deformation showed that in such convective systems it is possible to achieve minimum deviation of the isotherm shape from a straight line in the range of $ 0.05 <F/Gr <0.2 $.