Numerical study of the induced electric current of electrovortex flow in a cuboid vessel: electric scalar and magnetic vector potential formulations

K. P. Acosta-Zamora - A. Beltrán

Instituto de Investigaciones en Materiales, Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Antigua Carretera a Pátzcuaro No. 8701, Col. Ex Hacienda de San José de la Huerta, C.P. 58190, Morelia, Michoacán, México

Abstract
Motivated by the development of liquid metal batteries, the electrovortex flow of a liquid metal confined in a cuboid vessel is numerically studied. The electric scalar and magnetic vector potential formulations are implemented in the COMSOL Multiphysics software for the solution of the magnetohydrodynamic equations. In particular, a liquid metal is driven by a Lorentz force produced by the interaction of an axial electric current and the magnetic field generated by either one or a pair of magnets. Velocity profiles were compared with experimental measurements reported in the literature and a good comparison was observed. The induced electric currents are calculated using both Ohm's and Ampere's laws. The induced electric current distribution due to the liquid metal flow is analysed for the interaction parameter in the range of experimental conditions. Figs 5, Refs 17.

Key words: induced electric current, electrovortex flow, electric scalar potential, magnetic vector potential