Turbulent and transitional sidewall jets in magnetohydrodynamic channels with a homogeneous magnetic field

Abstract

Liquid metal flows in the presence of a uniform magnetic field experience electromagnetic induction. The eddy currents and associated Lorentz force density modify the flow and give rise to thin electromagnetic boundary layers on the walls of the channel or duct. Hartmann layers develop on the walls perpendicular to the magnetic field whereas side layers develop on the parallel walls. The structure of the laminar flow depends on the conductivity of the walls. The side layers play a critical role in the transition to turbulence and are also strongly affected by the anisotropic character of the Lorentz force. We focus on duct flows with conducting Hartmann walls that give rise side‐layers jets and report numerical studies of the transitional and turbulent regimes. We also examine one‐point statistics and describe specific transitional patterns. (© 2017 Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)