Numerical study of turbulent behavior in open channel MHD flow for protecting plasma facing components in thermonuclear fusion reactors

Because of the much less electric conductivities of molten salts than those of liquid metals, the turbulent open channel MHD flow of molten salts can be obtained in the plasma facing surface protection design of the fusion reactors. But as the electric conductivities of molten salts are 100 times greater than that of seawater and the very strong magnetic fields are applied in the fusion reactors, the open channel flows of molten salts experience the MHD suppression of turbulence. In this study, κ-ε model is used to calculate the turbulent characteristics, the velocity profiles and the induced magnetic field distributions in cases of Ha=100 and Ha=1000. In each case, the flow conditions such as Hartmann number, wall conditions, and applied magnetic field inclinations have some effects on flow patterns and turbulent behaviors. In case of Ha=100, there are no large MHD turbulence suppression, but in case of Ha=1000, MHD suppression of turbulence is significant