Study involves the effects of the interactions of electromagnetic, velocity, and temperature fields to aid in the design of a magnetohydrodynamic device. It concerns a theoretical analysis of the convective flow of an electrically conducting gas in a channel composed of conducting walls

Singer, R. M.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

June 1968	 Brief 68-10181 
r
AEC-NASA TECH BRIEF 
AEC-NASA Tech Briefs describe innovations resulting from the research and development program 
of the U.S. AEC or from AEC-NASA interagency efforts. They are issued to encourage commercial 
application. Tech Briefs are published by NASA and may be purchased, at 15 cents each, from 
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Study of Convective Magnetohydrodynamic Channel Flow 
A study has been made of the effects of the interac-
tions of electromagnetic, velocity, and temperature 
fields to aid in the design of a magnetohydrodynamic 
device, such as a magnetohydrodynamic power gen-
erator. Previously, considerable analytical effort had 
been extended to understand the velocity and elec-
tromagnetic interactions; however, little has been done 
with thermal interactions. The results are presented in 
a report, A Study of Convective Magnetohydrodynamic 
Channel Flow, by Ralph M. Singer, ANL-6967, 
Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois. 
The study concerns a theoretical analysis of the 
convective flow of an electrically conducting gas in a 
channel composed of conducting walls. The analyses 
are restricted to cases of fully developed laminar 
flow in vertical rectangular channels. The report adds 
to the knowledge of magnetohydrodynamics and pro-
vides an insight into the problem of combining the 
effects of fluid flow and electromagnetic forces. 
The steady, combined, free and forced convective 
flow of an electrically conducting fluid through a 
vertical channel in the presence of a horizontal mag-
netic field is studied. Three distinct physical situations 
are investigated: (a) parallel-plate channel with walls 
of arbitrary electrical conductivity, (b) rectangular 
channel containing a fluid with a very small magnetic 
Prandtl number, and (c) rectangular channel with 
nonconducting walls. 
Basic information on the interaction of mechanical, 
thermal, and electromagnetic forces is presented. In 
addition, it has been found that a magnetic field 
strongly inhibits free convection, and a criterion is 
established indicating when free convection may or
may not be neglected. It has also been noted that a 
magnetic field sufficiently flattens the velocity profile 
in a channel so that the flow can- be considered one 
dimensional in many cases. 
Notes: 
I. The work presented in this report is a continuatjon 
of that presented in ANL-6937 which considers 
the unsteady, convective, magnetohydrodynamic 
flow in a parallel-plate channel. Both reports are 
available from the Clearinghouse for Federal 
Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, 
Va. 22151 for $3.00 each, (microfiche copies, $0.65 
each). 
2. Inquiries concerning this innovation may be di-
rected to:
Office of Industrial Cooperation 
Argonne National Laboratory 
9700 South Cass Avenue 
Argonne, Illinois 60439 
Reference: B68-10181
Source: R. M. Singer 
Reactor Engineering Division 
(ARG-I0 102) 
Patent status: 
Inquiries about obtaining rights for commercial use 
of this innovation may be made to: 
Mr. George H. Lee, Chief 
Chicago Patent Group 
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission 
Chicago Operations Office 
9800 South Cass Avenue 
Argonne, Illinois 60439
Category 02 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the Atomic liability resulting from the use of the information contained in this 
Energy Commission and/or the National Aeronautics and Space document, or warrants that the use of any information, apparatus, 
Administration. Neither the United States Government nor any per- method, or process disclosed in this document may not infringe pri-
son acting on behalf of the United States Government assumes any vately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19680000181 2020-03-12T05:31:00+00:00Z


Study of convective magnetohydrodynamic channel flow

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

NASA Technical Reports Server