Numerical simulation of a swirling flow in a cavity of finite length driven by a rotating magnetic field

J. Priede - Yu. M. Gelfgat

Institute of Physics, Latvian Academy of Sciences, Salaspils-1, LV-2169, Latvia

Abstract
Laminar swirling flow in a simple flat-bottomed cylindrical cavity driven by a rotating magnetic field was examined numerically. It was shown that the induced electric current closing within the liquid volume near its nonconducting end-walls significantly modified both the distribution and total magnitude of the electromagnetic torque affecting the liquid if compared to that affecting the liquid column with conducting end-walls. This, in turn, was demonstrated changing the structure of the secondary recirculating flow. The instability has been found caused by a small scale toroidal type secondary vortex arising about the stagnant point between two adjanced secondary vortices in the boundary layer on the side wall. Comparing the obtained numerical results with available experimental measurements of the corresponding flow regimes, a reasonable agreement between both has been found. Figs 8, Refs 8.