Boundary Layer Control by Means of Wall Parallel Lorentz Forces

Lorentz forces can be used to control the near wall flow of low conducting liquids like sea-water. To achieve force densities strong enough to modify the flow, both magnetic and electric fields have to be applied to the fluid. Here, wall parallel Lorentz forces in streamwise direction were used to influence the velocity profile of a flat plate boundary layer as well as the flow around a symmetric hydrofoil. Velocity measurements inside the boundary layer and direct force measurements are given for the flat plate.
At moderate force strength, the mean velocity profile is characterized by a momentum thickness smaller than in the unforced case, whereas at high enough Hartmann numbers a wall jet develops. Additionally, a turbulent, but approximately non-growing boundary layer has been observed. The effect of a suction-side, streamwise Lorentz force on a NACA-0017-like hydrofoil is quantified by means of force balance measurements. Depending on the angle of attack, two different effects are observed. (1) At small angles of incidence, a moderate increase in lift due to additional circulation is observed. Simultaneously, a decrease in drag of the hydrofoil is caused by the momentum added. (2) At higher angles of attack, where the unforced hydrof oil would normally stall, a more pronounced lift increase and a corresponding drag reduction are observed due to separation prevention.