MHD dynamo in a Dean-like flow inside a torus

A. Chupin^1,2,3

¹ Institute of Continuous Media Mechanics, Perm, Russia
² Perm National Research Polytechnic University, Russia
³ Perm State National Research University, Russia

Abstract
Implementation of magnetohydrodynamic dynamo requires flows of a quite complicated configuration. One of the simplest dynamo models is the Ponomarenko model representing screw motion of a rigidly rotating cylinder in an infinite conducting medium. However, it is not necessary to have a special helical configuration of ducts or devices to produce helicity in a flow of an incompressible viscous fluid. A pressure-driven flow inside a curved channel, commonly known as the Dean flow, possesses its own non-zero helicity. Our simulations give evidences that such flow of conducting medium is sufficient for the self-generation of a magnetic field. Figs 8, Refs 30.