First operation of LLMHD loop with electromagnet for R & D MHD experiments

Abstract

The Liquid Lead lithium Magneto Hydro Dynamics (LLMHD) experimental facility has been constructed at Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gujarat, India to perform various R & D MHD experiments associated with the flow of electrically conducting liquid metal under strong transverse magnetic field. The electromagnet having C-shaped soft iron core has been designed and developed, to provide a uniform magnetic field of up to 1.4T within its polar volume 1000 mm (H) ×400 mm (W) ×370 mm (L). The magnetic field lines are aligned along the length (L). A relatively large polar volume inside the electromagnet to place the test mock up for MHD experiments is its particularity. It enables the study of MHD flows with complex flow geometries and having longer flow length perpendicular to the magnetic field. We have started running the LLMHD loop and the first MHD experiments with Pb-Li have been performed so far at 320 °C in a test mock-up of a basic circular flow geometry having two 90° bends. So far till now, the isothermal MHD experiments have been conducted in the presence of a uniform transverse magnetic field of 0.62T (Ha ∼ 322) and 1.06T (Ha∼551) for the ranges of Reynolds number 20,000–50,000. During the MHD experiments, flow rates, temperature, pressure, and induced wall electric potential have been recorded. The MHD effects on the pressure drop and flow rate has been noticed. The 3D MHD numerical simulation has also been performed, using add on MHD module of ANSYS FLUENT. Both simulation and experimental results of the induced wall electric potential have been compared.