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Liquid Metal Flume for free Surface Magnetohydrodynamic Experiments.

DE2008938980

Publication Date	2008
Personal Author	Nornberg, M. D.; Ji, H.; Peterson, J. L.; Rhoads, J. R.
Page Count	20
Abstract	We present an experiment designed to study magnetohydrodynamic effects in free-surface channel flow. The wide aspect ratio channel (the width to height ratio is about 15) is completely enclosed in an inert atmosphere to prevent oxidization of the liquid metal. A custom-designed pump reduces entrainment of oxygen, which was found to be a problem with standard centrifugal and gear pumps. Laser Doppler Velocimetry experiments characterize velocity profiles of the flow. Various flow constraints mitigate secondary circulation and end effects on the flow. Measurements of the wave propagation characteristics in the liquid metal demonstrate the surfactant effect of surface oxides and the damping of fluctuations by a cross-channel magnetic field.
Keywords	Magnetohydrodynamics Liquid metals Aspect ratio Damping End effects Entrainment Fluctuations Inert atmosphere Lasers Oxides Oxygen Surfactants Velocity Wave propagation
Source Agency	Technical Information Center Oak Ridge Tennessee
Corporate Authors	Princeton Univ., NJ. Plasma Physics Lab.; Department of Energy, Washington, DC.
Supplemental Notes	Sponsored by Department of Energy, Washington, DC.
Document Type	Technical Report
NTIS Issue Number	200908
Contract Number	DE-AC02-76CH03073

Liquid Metal Flume for free Surface Magnetohydrodynamic Experiments.

Liquid Metal Flume for free Surface Magnetohydrodynamic Experiments.
DE2008938980

Publication Date	2008
Personal Author	Nornberg, M. D.; Ji, H.; Peterson, J. L.; Rhoads, J. R.
Page Count	20
Abstract	We present an experiment designed to study magnetohydrodynamic effects in free-surface channel flow. The wide aspect ratio channel (the width to height ratio is about 15) is completely enclosed in an inert atmosphere to prevent oxidization of the liquid metal. A custom-designed pump reduces entrainment of oxygen, which was found to be a problem with standard centrifugal and gear pumps. Laser Doppler Velocimetry experiments characterize velocity profiles of the flow. Various flow constraints mitigate secondary circulation and end effects on the flow. Measurements of the wave propagation characteristics in the liquid metal demonstrate the surfactant effect of surface oxides and the damping of fluctuations by a cross-channel magnetic field.
Keywords	Magnetohydrodynamics Liquid metals Aspect ratio Damping End effects Entrainment Fluctuations Inert atmosphere Lasers Oxides Oxygen Surfactants Velocity Wave propagation
Source Agency	Technical Information Center Oak Ridge Tennessee
Corporate Authors	Princeton Univ., NJ. Plasma Physics Lab.; Department of Energy, Washington, DC.
Supplemental Notes	Sponsored by Department of Energy, Washington, DC.
Document Type	Technical Report
NTIS Issue Number	200908
Contract Number	DE-AC02-76CH03073