3D Thermo-fluid MHD simulation in a complex flow geometry

In the Magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) flow, electric current induces inside the fluid domain due to induced e. m. f when an electrically conducting fluid flows in presence of transverse magnetic field. In the present work, the 3D thermo-fluid MHD analysis has been performed for the flow geometry, which is to be tested in the liquid lead lithium MHD (LLMHD) loop. The chosen flow geometry consists of inlet/outlet circular pipes, manifolds and three rectangular channels with parallel flow configurations. Here, three rectangular channels are coupled at the inlet/outlet manifold. Sudden expansion and contraction occur at the inlet and outlet manifold respectively. The 3D thermo-fluid MHD analysis result at magnetic field of 1.4T and flow rate of 3 kg/s have been discussed. The numerical MHD results of induced electric potential, electric current, pressure, temperature and flow distributions are discussed in detail. The inlet/outlet circular pipes and manifolds are found to be the main contributors of the total pressure drop. The qualitative discussion has also been made on the impact of magnetic field on flow distribution among the flow channels with parallel flow configurations.