Optimization of a Lorentz force flowmeter by using numerical modeling

C. Stelian^1,3 - A. Alferenok² - U. Lüdtke² - Yu. Kolesnikov³ - A. Thess³

¹ Department of Physics, West University of Timisoara, Bd. V. Parvan, No.4, 300223 Timisoara, Romania
² Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Ilmenau University of Technology, PO Box 100565, 98684 Ilmenau, Germany
³ Institute of Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics, Ilmenau University of Technology, PO Box 100565, 98684 Ilmenau, Germany

Abstract
Lorentz force velocimetry is based on exposing an electrically conducting fluid to a magnetic field and measuring the force acting on the magnet system. In the present work, numerical modeling is used to optimize the magnet system geometry. Numerical computations are performed for a simplified problem, where the fluid flow in a channel is approximated by a solid body moving at a constant velocity through the magnetic field. The numerical optimization is based on the analysis of the channel shape and magnet system geometry influence on the flowmeter efficiency. Computations show an increasing efficiency when the channel has a rectangular cross-section and the distance between magnets is reduced. From numerical optimization it is found that a magnet system without a yoke, weighting few kilograms, can be used for efficient flow measurements in practical applications. Figs 9, Refs 10.