Permanent Magnet Pump for Aluminum Transport in a Linear Channel

Abstract

Electromagnetic systems designed for liquid metal transportation offer a wide range of promising applications within the metallurgical industry. Among these systems, permanent magnet pumps stand out due to their remarkable advantages in processing liquid aluminum. These pumps enable the generation of a vigorous flow of liquid metal, all while maintaining a non-contact approach by bypassing the insulating walls. In this study, we investigate the flow of liquid metal in a rectangular cross-section channel created by a permanent magnet pump. To comprehensively analyze the flow characteristics and assess the technology's scalability, we employ order of magnitude evaluations alongside an experimental model. Ultrasound Doppler velocimetry is utilized to measure the velocity distribution, which reveals an intriguingly asymmetric flow pattern. Furthermore, additional measurements are conducted to determine the integral flow rate and pressure difference. Remarkably, the numerical simulations align closely with the experimental results, demonstrating good agreement in the p-Q curves. These findings provide substantial evidence supporting the remarkable potential of this technology in various applications, such as aluminum degassing, particle agglomerate dispersion, and efficient transportation.

Keywords

• liquid metal transport
• permanent magnet
• travelling magnetic field
• MHD
• aluminium metallurgy