MHD pump with rotating permanent magnets: inlet pressure influence on P-Q curves

A. Brēķis^1,2 - L. Buligins¹ - I. Bucenieks¹ - K. Kravalis¹ - A. Lācis¹ - O. Mikanovskis¹

¹ Institute of Physics, University of Latvia, 32 Miera str., Salaspils-1, LV-2169, Latvia
² Faculty of Electrical and Environmental Engineering, Riga Technical University, 12/1 Azenes str., LV-1048 Riga, Latvia

Abstract
The research is aimed at investigating the influence of the cavitation process on the performance of the electromagnetic induction pump with rotating permanent magnets operating in the circulation loop, where low pump inlet pressure values are maintained. Data on the inlet pressure influence on pressure-flow rate curves were obtained by an experimental approach using a disc-type pump with SmCo permanent magnets in experiments. The pump was placed in the test loop operating with liquid sodium, and measurements of the pump characteristics were made. The inlet pressure variation from 0.1 to 3.0 bar influences the maximum flow rate, thus varying it from 2 to 12 l/s. Figs 7, Refs 7.