Nonsimilar, laminar, steady, electrically-conducting forced convection liquid metal boundary layer flow with induced magnetic field effects (original) (raw)

2009, International Journal of Thermal Sciences

A nonsimilar steady laminar boundary layer model is described for the hydromagnetic convection flow of a Newtonian, electrically-conducting liquid metal past a translating, non-conducting plate with a magnetic field aligned with the plate direction. The non-dimensional boundary layer equations are solved with the Sparrow-Quack-Boerner local nonsimilarity method (LNM). An increase in magnetic Prandtl number (Pr m) is found to strongly enhance wall heat transfer rate (Nu x Re −1/2 x), velocity (f) and induced magnetic field function (g), but exerts negligible influence on the temperature (θ) in the boundary layer. A rise in magnetic force number (β) increases velocity, f , shear stress function, f , and wall heat transfer gradient, i.e. Nu x Re −1/2 x , but reduces magnetic field function, g and temperature, θ. Increasing ordinary Prandtl number (Pr), decreases temperature, θ , but increases wall heat transfer rate (Nu x Re −1/2 x). An increase in wall to free stream velocity ratio parameter, ζ , increases flow velocity, f , and induced magnetic field gradient, g for small ξ but reduces g for larger ξ , and also boosts the wall temperature gradient, Nu x Re −1/2 x. The model has potential applications in astronautical magneto-thermo-aerodynamics, nuclear reactor channel flow control with magnetic fields and MHD (magnetohydrodynamic) energy generators.