Study on a falling metal drop in a perpendicular magnetic field

Abstract

A theoretical and experimental study of a falling metal drop which interacts with a perpendicular non-localized magnetic field is addressed. As the metal drops traverses the magnetic field, it suffers a braking due to induced electromagnetic effects. An analytical solution for the velocity of the falling drop is obtained thought a balance of forces which affect its motion. A numerical solution from the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations for two phase flows is also obtained. A numerical model for the solution of the incompresible Navier-Stokes for two-phase flows is also implemented. This model is based in the fron-tracking/finite volume method. The simulation allows observe a more detailed dynamics such as the deformation of the drop. Both the theoretical and numerical results validate the experimental data obtained through the Particle Image Velocimetry.