Magnetic flux distortion in two-phase liquid metal flow: Model experiment

Abstract

In this paper, we present the model experiments in order to study the magnetic flux distortion of a two-phase liquid metal flow excited by an AC magnetic field in a range of pulsation where Faraday induction and Lorentz force effects are significant. These experiments realized with solid aluminum rods allow to characterize the effects of flow velocity (0 U≤1 ms-1), void fraction (0≤α≤6.9 %), pulsation of the AC magnetic field (1.5×103≤ω≤12.5×103 rad s-1), and of two different void geometries. The results are analyzed on the basis of a first order expansion of magnetic flux in U and α. Despite the strong coupling between Faraday induction and Lorentz force effects, the results show that the contributions of U and α on a magnetic flux distortion can be well separated at both low magnetic Reynolds number and α values. These results are independent of void geometry.