Evaluation of magnetic field dependence of liquid metal flow field in trenches with electromagnetic force controlling function

Formation of thermal stratification on surface is one of the problems in liquid metal divertor concept for nuclear fusion reactor. To solve this problem, stirring of liquid metal using meandering flow generated by trenches with electromagnetic force controlling function has been proposed. In this study, three-dimensional finite element simulation of liquid metal flow was conducted to discuss the magnetic field dependency of the meandering flow. Analysis model is a 20.0 mm × 38.0 mm trench having alternating conductive parts and insulating parts at the bottom and the lateral velocity to mainstream velocity is evaluated. The inlet condition has asymmetric profile to simulate an experiment with torus channel. Results of numerical simulation indicates that the meandering flow is not generated under 0.1 to 0.7 magnetic field condition due to the asymmetry profile of mainstream. In comparison with experimental result under 1.0 T magnetic field, same tendency of meandering is observed, however, maximum intensity of meandering flow is different. At the conference, we will also report about comparison with experimental results under 0.1 to 0.7 T magnetic field condition. (author)