Electromagnetically driven flow of weak electrolyte with liquid metal stratified in a cylindrical container: experimental study

A. Beltrán¹ - J. Núñez² - I. Alfonso¹

¹ Instituto de Investigaciones en Materiales, Unidad Morelia Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, Mich., 58190 México
² Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Morelia Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, Mich., 58190 México

Abstract
The flow in configurations related to the liquid metal battery technology has been analyzed on recent experimental and theoretical studies. In this work, the electromagnetically driven flow of a weak electrolytic solution and GaInSn eutectic alloy stratified in a cylindrical container is experimentally studied. Experiments are performed for two different weak electrolytic solutions filling the top half of the container. In particular, a Lorentz force stirs the electrolyte; this force is generated by the interaction of an axial DC current and the magnetic field of a permanent magnet which is centered in the electrolyte region. Two different magnets with rectangular and square cross-sections are used. For each electrolyte and magnet, the effect of two values of DC current, 3 and 5 mA, are explored. The electrolyte motion is studied in an axially oriented central plane of the container, using the 2D PIV technique. Vortex flow patterns can be identified and some velocity profiles show M-shaped behavior. Differences for both current values are evaluated. Figs 5, Refs 12.