Experimental investigation of liquid metal pipe flow in a strong non-uniform magnetic field

L. Bühler - H.-J. Brinkmann - C. Mistrangelo

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 3640, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany

Abstract
Liquid metal pipe flow entering a strong magnetic field has been investigated experimentally in the MEKKA laboratory at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. In the region of the spatially varying magnetic field, the flow becomes three-dimensional due to additional three-dimensional electric currents that are driven by axial potential gradients. The influence of these extra currents on the distribution of pressure and electric potential has been studied for strong magnetic fields. Tables 1, Figs 9, Refs 10.