Validation of COMSOL code for analyzing liquid metal magnetohydrodynamic flow

Applicability of COMSOL multiphysics software for analyzing liquid metal MagnetoHydroDynamic (MHD) effect under fusion relevant parameters has been verified. For this purpose, few benchmark problems recommended by fusion MHD community have been simulated. The selected benchmark problems are steady state fully developed MHD duct flow, duct flow under transverse fringed magnetic field and transient phenomenon of natural convection in presence of magnetic field. Apart, from the recommended benchmark problems, an experimental scenario has been simulated having flow geometry with multiple 90° bends. For these simulations, two to three available independent physics modules have been suitably coupled under the single platform of COMSOL. The computed numerical results show good agreement with the available analytical or experimental or reported numerical data in the range of MHD parameters Hartmann number ∼104, Interaction parameter ∼104, wall conductance ratio ∼10−2 & Grasshof number ∼106.