Measurements of transient flow fields driven by a discontinuously applied rotating magnetic field

This experimental study considers the transient liquid metal flow which is generated inside a cylindrical container by discontinuously applying a rotating magnetic field (RMF). The focus is on the fluid motion arising from the impulsive spin–up from the resting state. The ultrasonic Doppler velocimetry (UDV) has been used to determine profiles of the fluid velocity in the ternary alloy GaInSn. The azimuthal and vertical velocity components have been measured allowing for an analysis of both the primary, swirling flow and the secondary flow in the radial–meridional plane. The experimental results show an excellent agreement with recently published numerical results. The investigations reveal that the recirculating flow in the radial–meridional plane undergoes characteristic oscillations. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)