Three-dimensional features of MHD flows turning in a right-angle duct

This study presents a numerical simulation of three-dimensional (3D) Liquid metal (LM) Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flows turning in a right-angle duct with a square cross section under a uniform magnetic field applied perpendicular to the plane of the main flow. The 3D features of the flow in a fluid region adjacent to the duct walls of the turning segment are investigated. Cases with different Hartmann numbers and conductance parameters are analyzed using the CFX code. The MHD features of the LM flow are examined in terms of fluid velocity, current density, electric potential, and pressure gradient. The formation of a velocity recirculation is observed in the inner region of the right-angle segment immediately after the turning of the flow because of the inertial force therein, thereby yielding a region of low electric potential with a complicated current distribution. In particular, in the right-angle segment, the axial velocity in the side layer near the outer wall (that is, in the outer side layer) is relatively lower than that in the inflow and outflow channels. In addition, the velocity recirculation region in the right-angle segment decreases and the pressure gradient increases with an increase in conductance parameter.