Magnetohydrodynamics - research projects
The Riga Dynamo Experiment
Magnetic fields of planets, stars, and galaxies are produced by self-excitation in moving electrically conducting fluids. In 1999, the underlying hydromagnetic dynamo effect was experimentally evidenced at the Riga dynamo facility. With numerical simulations, the development of measurement techniques, and extensive data analyses our department has contributed significantly to the success of this unique experiment.
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Energy Storage and Energy Conversion with Liquid Metals
Liquid metals offer a range of benefits when used for energy storage and energy conversion: cost-effective production, high cycle numbers and high scalability
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Continuous Casting Liquid Metal Model
The LIMMCAST facility is used to investigate the process of continuous casting of metals and to improve it by applying properly designed electromagnetic fields.
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Measurement techniques for liquid metals and electrified industrial processes
The knowledge of velocity structures or of the gas distribution in liquid metals is of great interest in laboratory experiments as well as in industrial applications. The opaqueness of those fluids prevents the use of well established optical methods. Additionally, the corrosiveness and the high temperatures are challenges for measurement techniques.
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X-ray Laboratory
X-ray radiography is a useful tool for a non-invasive, in situ visualization and characterization of optically opaque liquid metals and systems. The MHD department has developed two X-ray experimental setups for the visualisation of various phenomena in optically opaque systems.
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Crystal growth melt flow control using magnetic fields
The physical modeling of crystal growth processes provides a tangible insight into key process flows. The numerical simulation of heat and mass transfer has great potential for optimizing the basic processes involved, especially the control of the flow by means of magnetic fields. By combining both approaches one may add up advantages and eliminate shortcomings.
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The Tayler Instability
The Tayler instability limits the up-scalability of liquid metal batteries and plays a major role in astrophysics.
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Magnetorotational instability (PROMISE Experiment)
Cosmic magnetic fields play a surprisingly active role in cosmic structure formation by fostering outward angular momentum transport and inward mass accretion onto central objects, like protostars or black holes, by means of the magnetorotational instability (MRI). At the PROMISE experiment, two special versions of MRI, the helical MRI and the azimuthal MRI are investigated.
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Magnetoelectrochemistry
Magnetic control of mass transfer and convection in electrochemical processes
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Liquid metal multiphase flows
Liquid metal two-phase flows are of particular importance for many processes in metallurgy and metal casting. For example, the secondary-metallurgical treatment of liquid steel relies on the injection of purge gas for improving the steel cleanliness. Objectives are the enhancement of mixing and homogenization and the separation of inclusions by flotation.
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