Magneto-thermal-convection stability in an inclined cylindrical annulus filled with a molten metal

Abstract

Purpose Metal-cooled reactors generally use molten metals such as sodium, potassium or a combination of sodium and potassium because of their excellent heat transfer properties so that the reactor can operate at much lower pressures and higher temperatures. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the stability of natural convection in an inclined ring filled with molten potassium under the influence of a radial magnetism. Design/methodology/approach A numerical simulation of electrically conductive fluid natural convection stability is performed on an inclined cylindrical annulus under the influence of a radial magnetism. The upper and lower walls are adiabatic, while the internal and external cylinders are kept at even temperatures. The equations governing this fluid system are solved numerically using finite volume method. The SIMPLER algorithm is used for pressure-speed coupling in the momentum equation. Findings Numerical results for various effective parameters that solve the problem in the initial oscillatory state are discussed in terms of isobars, isotherms and flow lines in the annulus for a wide range of Hartmann numbers (0 ≤ Ha ≤ 80), inclination angles (0 ≤ γ ≤ 90°) and radii ratios λ ≤ 6. The dependency stability diagrams between complicated situations with the critical value of the Rayleigh number RaCr and the corresponding frequency FrCr are established on the basis of the numeric data of this investigation. The angle of inclination and the radii ratio of the annulus have a significant effect on the stabilization of the magneto-convective flux and show that the best stabilization of the natural oscillatory convection is obtained by the intensity of the strongest magnetic field, the high radii ratio and inclination of the annulus at γ = 30°. Practical implications This numerical model is selected for its various applications in technology and industry. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the influence of the inclination of the cylindrical annulus (ring), with various radii ratio, on natural oscillatory convection under a radial magnetism has never been investigated.