Convection in an infinite vertical cylinder in the presence of a horizontal magnetic field

The use of a magnetic field to suppress convection in low gravity materials processing is an area of active research. This study aims ta investigate some of the basic features of an imposed transverse magnetic field on convective motion in electrically conducting melts. The geometry considered is an infinite vertical column of liquid metal with an axial temperature gradient and an imposed transverse magnetic field. The incipience and azimuthal orientation of convective rolls is investigated. The governing transport equations are non-dimensionalized, linearized, and the eigen-value problem is solved to determine the most physically significant states. The analysis shows that the initial degeneracy (with no magnetic field) is removed by the presence of a magnetic field and the primary convection roll aligns itself so that ifs plane is perpendicular to the applied magnetic field. Velocity distributions are presented corresponding to the lowest modes.