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Summary: MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS Vol. 45 (2009), No. 2, pp. 233238
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF MHD FLOWS IN A
PROTOTYPIC INLET MANIFOLD SECTION OF THE
DCLL TEST BLANKET MODULE
K. Messadek, M. Abdou
University of California, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, 44-114
Engineering IV, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1697, USA
This paper presents preliminary results on a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow in
a prototypic distribution and collection manifold relevant to the Dual Coolant Lead
Lithium (DCLL) blanket concept. A series of experiments has been carried out in order
to understand the mechanisms that determine the division of flow from a single supply
channel to three parallel channels stacked in the direction the magnetic field lines. First
flow rate data show that for a relatively high interaction parameter (N > 90), a uniform
flow distribution is achieved with less than 5% flow unbalance. For lower values of N,
the ratio between the outer to the central channels flow rates is found to follow a Nm
type scaling law, with m = 1/4 for 60 < N < 90 and m = 1/3 N < 60.
1. Introduction. The performance and the structural integrity of liquid
metal based fusion blanket systems are strongly related to the type of MHD flows
that are established. The magnetohydrodynamic flow patterns and their associated
transport properties that result from the interaction between the pressure-driven
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