The influence of a cylindrical cathode on the electro-vortex flow of liquid metal: Numerical simulations and laboratory experiments

The electro-vortex flow of a liquid metal in a cylindrical cell, placed into an external vertical magnetic field, in the case of an axial electric current application is studied numerically and experimentally. The results are compared to those previously obtained in the case of a localized electric current application. In the absence of the external magnetic field, the comparison shows no qualitative change in the flow structure. In the presence of the external magnetic field, a poloidal motion is suppressed. A critical magnetic field of poloidal suppression is shown to be approximately higher in the case of axial electric current application.