Magnetohydrodynamic stability in the electromagnetic levitation of horizontal molten-metal sheets

Journal Article · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Phys. Fluids A; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.857398· OSTI ID:6167739

Hull, J R; Wiencek, T; Rote, D M

High-frequency electromagnetic (EM) fields are investigated for the levitation of thin horizontal sheets of liquid metal. A magnetic configuration is analyzed in which inductance stabilization provides global stability and magnetic flux compression provides local stability. Stability analysis indicates that frequencies greater than about 24 kHz are desirable to stably levitate 6 mm thick steel. For stability in systems without active feedback, a conducting screen is required below the metal, with a gap between the screen and the molten metal of no more than twice the metal thickness. Experiments in which 10 kHz EM fields were used to statically levitate sheets of molten tin indicate that dominant magnetohydrodynamic instabilities are of the Rayleigh--Taylor type and correspond to theory.

• Research Organization: Materials and Components Technology Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, Illinois 60439
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 6167739
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids A; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids A; (United States) Vol. 1:6; ISSN PFADE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640430* -- Fluid Physics-- Magnetohydrodynamics
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
COMPRESSION
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
ELEMENTS
FEEDBACK
FLUID MECHANICS
FLUIDS
FREQUENCY RANGE
HYDRODYNAMICS
INSTABILITY
KHZ RANGE
KHZ RANGE 01-100
LEVITATION
LIQUID METALS
LIQUIDS
MAGNETIC FLUX
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MECHANICS
METALS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RAYLEIGH-TAYLOR INSTABILITY
SHEETS
STABILITY