The MHD Hydrostatic Thrust Bearing—Theory and Experiments

Abstract

An analytical and experimental investigation is made of magnetohydrodynamic lubrication flow between parallel stationary disks in an axial magnetic field. The effect of the fluid inertia is analyzed by a single iteration of the appropriate differential equations. For a given pressure, the approximate solution indicates that the inertia forces increase the load capacity and flow rate. Experimental flow rates are obtained by varying the Hartmann number with a constant head and by varying the head with a constant Hartmann number. Good agreement is found between the theory and experimental results until the transition to turbulent flow occurs. The effect of the magnetic field on this transition is evident from the data.