MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC FLOWS IN A CHANNEL-INDUCTION FURNACE

Experiments performed in a four-tenth scale physical model of a 1300 kW inductor unit are described. The approach was, first, to measure the electromagnetic parameters, namely, the magnetic field and current density components, as well as the phase shift between these periodic vectors; and next, to find the electromagnetic force field from these parts. These results were connected with the experimentally determined liquid-metal flow fields. Both the effects of the time-smoothed electromagnetic forces on solid inclusions in suspension within the melt and the influence of the fluctuating electromagnetic forces on the probable existence of a cavitation phenomenon were also estimated. This present work, which reveals the impact of the magnetic field leaks on the velocity pattern, may be considered as a preliminary investigation, in an attempt to control the magnetoydrodynamic flows in channel-induction furnaces.