Three-Dimensional Numerical Model of a Double-Sided Electromagnetic Stirrer of a Traveling Magnetic Field

Electromagnetic control of liquid metal flow has a numerous benefits for modern industry. Alternating magnetic field influence on electro conducting liquids leads to their movement and consequently forced convection. These phenomena are widely used in wide range of metallurgical applications, and one of them is an electromagnetic stirring during the solidification of metal. We consider a case of travelling magnetic field stirrer (TMF) for liquid gallium in a rectangular cell. TMF inductors are used instead of rotating permanent magnets and show-certain advantages, such as a lack of mechanical vibrations and flexible control of magnetic field parameters. The 3D harmonic electromagnetic (EM) analysis is performed by means of finite element method. The magnetic flux density distribution, induced current density and the Lorentz forces in the melt are analyzed. For hydrodynamic simulation of EM driven liquid metal flow finite volume software Fluent was implemented. As a result, a velocity field in liquid metal domain is obtained. Comparison of numerical results with experimental data, obtained by the Doppler ultrasound velocimetry, has a good agreement.