Effect of fringing magnetic field on magnetohydrodynamic flow in rectangular duct

Abstract Liquid metal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effect is a key issue, and quite often a constraint, in the development of liquid metal fusion blanket. At strong fringing magnetic field region in fusion reactor, 3D MHD effects will occur, and the MHD pressure drop becomes considerably larger than that in the fully developed region. In this work, a preliminary numerical analysis has been carried out to investigate the MHD flow in fringing magnetic field in conducting and insulating rectangular ducts. A 3D MHD code, in which the current density conservative scheme is employed for calculation of the induced current and the Lorentz force, has been used for the simulation of the MHD flow. The formation mechanism of 3D MHD phenomenon at magnetic field inlet-region has been studied, and the pressure drop and flow distribution were evaluated. The results showed that the fringing magnetic field had dramatic influence on MHD flow structure and pressure drop.

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