3D NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF RAYLEIGH-BENARD CONVECTION IN AN ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTING MELT ACTED ON BY A TRAVELLING MAGNETIC FIELD

摘要

The influence of a travelling magnetic field (TMF) on Rayleigh-Benard convection in an electrically conducting melt (Gallium) confined in a cylindrical crucible is investigated. It was found that up to certain values of the magnetic induction, the TMF acts to inhibit the thermal fluctuations and the azimuthal components of the flow. These features of the TMF are more effective when the field propagates downwards (i.e. when the Lorentz force is pointing downwards) or when the amplitude of the field (i.e. the Lorentz force) is greater at the bottom of the crucible.