Fluid motion in a MHD pump with a cross-shaped active zone

G. I. Burde - R. K. Gorn - V. I. Yakushin

Abstract
The motion of a viscous incompressible fluid in a cross-shaped active zone of a MHD pump is investigated by the method of finite differences. It is suggested that the distribution of the magnetic and electric fields is governed only by the external sources and does not depend on motion of the fluid (noninductive approximation). In this case the problem reduces to the solution of equations of ordinary hydrodynamics in a given nonuniform force field. The finite-difference equations written for the stream function and vorticity were solved by the iterative method with successive lower relaxation. The dependence of the head ∆p and hydraulic resistance coefficient ζ on the flow rate of the fluid and distribution of forces in the active zone was investigated. Pictures of the streamlines for various values of the force in the active zone and graphs of ∆p and ζ plotted against the Reynolds number are presented.