Bifurcation phenomena of natural convection in horizontal annulus under self-induced circular magnetic fields

Purpose In general, the bifurcation phenomenon of the natural convection has largely been studied. But the bifurcation of natural convection under magnetic conditions has not been studied as per the authors’ knowledge. This paper aims to investigate the changes in bifurcation phenomenon by the self-induced circular magnetic field. Design/methodology/approach The authors numerically solved the natural convection in an annulus. The SIMPLE algorithm was adopted for pressure-momenturm coupling. The Boussinesq approximation was used for numerical modeling of natural convection. Finally, the Lorentz force effect by the magnetic field was considered through the source terms in the momentum conservation equation. Findings It was determined that the heat-transfer rate changes by 17% owing to the applied magnetic effect, and the range of the Rayleigh number for flow bifurcation is changed by the magnetic effect. Moreover, under the strong magnetic condition, the flow bifurcation continues even at very high Ra. Previously, flow bifurcation has been understood as a flow instability phenomena, and the Lorentz force was regarded as a flow-damping effect; however, in this study, it was found that the magnetic field can boost the flow instability and induce flow bifurcation even in the Rayleigh number region where the bifurcation does not appear. Originality/value This paper is dealing with the bifurcation phenomenon in MHD natural convection problems. In the past, the electromagnetic forces were regarded as always acting to damp out the existing flows; herewith, the authors first investigated that the magnetic effect can boost the bifurcation of a kind of flow instability phenomenon.