Numerical modeling of bubble-driven liquid metal flows with external static magnetic field

Three-dimensional numerical simulations are presented considering the impact of a steady magnetic field on a bubble-driven liquid metal flow inside a cylinder. The injection of moderate gas flow rates through a single orifice at the bottom of the fluid vessel results in the formation of a bubble plume. The magnetic field is applied in either vertical or horizontal direction. The calculations were performed by means of the commercial software package CFX using the Euler–Euler multiphase model and the RANS–SST turbulence model. The non-isotropic nature of MHD turbulence was taken into account by specific modifications of the turbulence model. The numerical models are validated with recent experimental results. (Zhang, C., Eckert, S., Gerbeth, G., 2007. The flow structure of a bubble-driven liquid–metal jet in a horizontal magnetic field, J. Fluid Mech. 575, 57–82.) The comparison between the numerical simulations and the experimental findings shows a good agreement. The calculations are able to reproduce a striking feature of a horizontal magnetic field found in the range of moderate Hartmann numbers revealing that such a steady transverse magnetic field may destabilize the flow and cause distinct oscillations of the liquid velocity.

► Incorporation of the anisotropy variable αμαμ into a RANS–SST turbulence model. ► First successful reproduction of respective experimental results published by Zhang et al. ► Distinct influence of the magnetic field on the global and local properties of the flow field. ► The flow pattern becomes anisotropic with respect to the magnetic field lines. ► A horizontal DC magnetic field can destabilize the bubble-driven jet and the recirculating flow.