Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology

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Numerical analyses on liquid-metal

magnetohydrodynamic flow in sudden channel
contraction

Hiroshige Kumamaru

To cite this article: Hiroshige Kumamaru (2017) Numerical analyses on liquid-metal

magnetohydrodynamic flow in sudden channel contraction, Journal of Nuclear Science and
Technology, 54:12, 1300-1309, DOI: 10.1080/00223131.2017.1365021

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2017.1365021

Published online: 22 Aug 2017.

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Download by: [University of New England] Date: 19 December 2017, At: 20:40
 JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 
VOL. , NO. , –
https://doi.org/./..

ARTICLE

Numerical analyses on liquid-metal magnetohydrodynamic flow in sudden

channel contraction
Hiroshige Kumamaru
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo, Himeji-shi, Japan

ABSTRACT ARTICLE HISTORY

Three-dimensional numerical calculations have been performed on the magnetohydrodynamic Received  November 
(MHD) flows through a rectangular channel with sudden contraction, particularly in order to esti- Accepted  July 
mate the pressure drop through the sudden contraction. The sudden contraction is in the direc-
KEYWORDS
tions both perpendicular and parallel to the applied magnetic field. The Hartmann number, the Magnetohydrodynamic;
Reynolds number, and the magnetic Reynolds number were set to ∼100, ∼1000, and ∼0.001, MHD; liquid metal; sudden
respectively, in simulating laboratory conditions. The continuity equation, the momentum equa- contraction; loss coefficient;
Downloaded by [University of New England] at 20:40 19 December 2017

tion, and the induction equation were solved numerically. In the sudden contraction in the direc- fusion reactor; CFD
tion perpendicular to applied magnetic field, the loss coefficient takes a positive value in all the
cases performed in this study, contrary to the expectation. This result is in contrast to that in the
sudden expansion in the direction perpendicular to applied magnetic field, where the loss coef-
ficient generally takes a negative value due to the MHD effect. In the sudden contraction in the
direction of applied magnetic field, the loss coefficient takes a positive and large value in all the
cases performed in this study. The loss coefficient generally becomes larger than that in the case
of corresponding channel expansion in the direction of applied magnetic field.

1. Introduction Zhou et al. carried out numerical calculations on an

MHD flow in an electrically conducting rectangular
Several concepts for liquid-metal blankets have been
channel with sudden expansion [2], simulating exper-
proposed for experimental fusion reactors to be built in
iments conducted by Buhler et al. [7]. The sudden
the near future and for fusion power plants to be real-
expansion is in the direction of applied magnetic field.
ized in the future [1]. In proposed blankets for exper-
They showed that calculation results on the velocity
imental fusion reactors, stagnant liquid metals con-
profile and the pressure drop agree well with those
taining lithium serve only as breeding material though
from the experiments for two combinations of Reynolds
the blankets are cooled by helium or water. However,
number (Re) and Hartmann number (Ha). Kim per-
in proposed blankets for fusion power plants, liquid
formed numerical calculations on an MHD flow in an
metals containing lithium are used as coolant while
electrically conducting rectangular channel with sud-
helium is also served as cooling material. In order to
den expansion [3]. The sudden expansion is in the
decrease the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) pressure
direction both perpendicular and parallel to applied
drop, explained below, electrically insulating flow chan-
magnetic field, and the expansion is in one direction
nel inserts are used or electrical insulation coating of
(not in both directions). He showed flow behavior, how-
channel walls is applied.
ever, did not present the pressure drop through the
Liquid metals are excellent coolant having high heat
expansion clearly.
capacity and thermal conductivity. However, when liq-
Feng et al. carried out numerical calculations on
uid metals flow in a strong magnetic field that confines
MHD flows in electrically conducting rectangular
reacting plasma in a fusion reactor core, there exists
channels with sudden and gradual expansion [4]. The
MHD interaction between the liquid-metal flow and the
expansion is in the direction of applied magnetic field.
magnetic field, which generates a large MHD pressure
They presented the pressure drops for four expansion
drop. Three-dimensional calculations are indispensable
ratios. The author conducted numerical calculations on
in order to predict exactly MHD channel flows with
MHD flows in electrically insulating rectangular chan-
changes in flow direction, channel cross section, applied
nels with sudden expansion [5]. The sudden expansion
magnetic field, and others.
is in the direction both perpendicular and parallel to
In recent years, three-dimensional calculations have
applied magnetic field. The author presented the pres-
been performed on expanding channels [2–5], con-
sure drops for 13 combinations of Re, Ha, expansion
tracting channels [6], U-bend channels, and others.

CONTACT Hiroshige Kumamaru kumamaru@eng.u-hyogo.ac.jp

©  Atomic Energy Society of Japan. All rights reserved.

Figure . Calculation model in Case A, sudden contraction in
direction perpendicular to applied magnetic field.
ratio, and aspect ratio, respectively in the expansion per-
pendicular and parallel to applied magnetic field.
Kim performed numerical calculations on an MHD
flow in an electrically conducting rectangular channel
with sudden contraction [6]. The sudden contraction
Downloaded by [University of New England] at 20:40 19 December 2017
is in the direction perpendicular to applied magnetic
field, and the contraction is in one direction (not in
both directions). He showed flow behavior, however,
did not present the pressure drop through the contrac-
tion clearly.
In this study, three-dimensional numerical calcula-
tions are performed on MHD flows through a rect-
angular channel with sudden contraction, particularly
in order to estimate the pressure drop through the
sudden contraction. The sudden contraction is in the
directions perpendicular to and parallel to the applied
magnetic field. The channel walls are assumed to be
electrically insulating (non-conducting). In simulating
laboratory conditions, the Ha and the Re numbers are
mainly set to 100 and 1000, respectively, and in some
cases, reach up to 500 and 5000, respectively. To date,
because of numerical instability program arising from
sharp velocity changes near channel walls, numerical
solutions have not been obtained for fusion power plant
conditions.
2. Numerical calculations
2.1. Calculation models
Figure 1 shows the calculation model in Case A,
i.e. the contraction in the direction perpendicular to
the applied magnetic field. The vectors v, B0, and j
represent the main flow velocity, the applied mag-
netic field, and the induced electric current, respec-
tively. Considering symmetry, the calculations are
performed only for 1/4 of the channel cross-section.
(The actual flow channel is from −ly2 to + ly2 before
the contraction and from −ly1 to + ly1 after the contrac-
tion, and from −lz to + lz before and after the contrac-
tion.) The sudden contraction is located at x = lx1 . The
applied magnetic field is imposed in the z-direction.
The channel walls are assumed to be electrically insu-
lating (non-conducting). The channels upstream and
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 1301
Figure . Calculation model in Case B, sudden contraction in
direction of applied magnetic field.
downstream of the contraction are called a ‘large chan-
nel’ and a ‘small channel,’ respectively, in this paper.
In the large channel and in the small channel, the
fully developed MHD flow appears except for the region
near to the contraction. In the fully developed MHD
flow regions, the induced electric current, which is gen-
erated by the vector product of flow velocity and applied
magnetic field, flows in the negative y-direction in fluid
bulk region. The induced current returns in the posi-
tive y-direction by flowing in thin region very near to
the top wall (having nearly zero velocity and large elec-
tric resistance), within a y–z plane at the same x. (The
induced current can also flow in the wall in the case
of electrically conducting wall.) This induced current
loop has a relatively large electrical resistance, since the
induced current needs to pass through the thin region
very near to the top wall. The Lorentz force (indicated
by an orange arrow or a gray arrow), which is generated
by the vector product of induced current and applied
magnetic field, is exerted in the negative x-direction in
fluid bulk region, and a large MHD pressure drop is gen-
erated. The uniform-induced currents along the x-axis
produce uniform velocity distribution and a constant
MHD pressure drop along x-axis in the fully developed
regions.
On the other hand, in the region just downstream
of the contraction, the induced electric current flows in
the negative y-direction, as was the case of fully devel-
oped region. However, the induced current may possi-
bly return in the positive y-direction through the large
region (having small electric resistance) just upstream
of the contraction (in an x–y plane with the same z),
as shown in Figure 1. Thus, the Lorentz force may pos-
sibly be exerted in the positive x-direction and a pres-
sure recovery (increase) may possibly happen in the
region just upstream of the contraction. The hatching
region indicates a low-flow or reverse-flow region just
upstream of the contraction.
Figure 2 shows the calculation model in Case B, i.e.
the contraction in the direction of the applied magnetic
field. Considering symmetry, the calculations are per-
formed only for 1/4 of the channel cross-section. (The
 1302 H. KUMAMARU

actual flow channel is from −ly to + ly before and after
the contraction, and from −lz2 to + lz2 before the con-
traction and from −lz1 to + lz1 after the contraction.)
The sudden contraction is located at x = lx1 . The applied
magnetic field is imposed in the z-direction. The chan-
nel walls are assumed to be electrically insulating (non-
conducting). In the fully developed MHD flow region
upstream of the contraction, the flow differs between
Case B (Figure 2) and Case A (Figure 1), since the thick-
ness of flow region in the direction parallel to or per-
pendicular to the applied magnetic field differs between
Case B and Case A. However, the flow in the fully devel-
oped MHD flow region downstream of the contraction
in Case B is exactly the same as that in Case A. The
Lorentz force (indicated by an orange arrow or a gray
arrow) acts in the negative x-direction in the fluid bulk
region, and a large MHD pressure drop along the x-axis
is produced in the fully developed MHD flow regions.
Downloaded by [University of New England] at 20:40 19 December 2017
and the electric conductivity, respectively. The induced
magnetic field (B) produced by the induced electric cur-
rent is treated as an unknown variable together with
the velocity (v) and the pressure (p). The third term
in the right-hand side of Equation (2) represents the
Lorentz force. The induction equation, i.e. Equation (3),
is derived from Ohm’s law, Faraday’s law, and Ampere’s
law in electromagnetism.
The basic equations are transformed into non-
dimensional expressions by introducing non-
dimensional variables and numbers presented below.
The characteristic length is the half width of the chan-
nel in the direction of the applied magnetic field in the
small channel, i.e. lz in Case A (Figure 1) or lz1 in Case
B (Figure 2). The characteristic velocity is the average
velocity in the x-direction through the small channel.

On the other hand, the low-flow or reverse-flow t x v

t∗ = , x∗ = , v∗ = ,
region appears in the region just upstream of the con- lz /ū lz ū
traction (i.e. the hatching region). (The low-flow or p B
p∗ = , B∗ = √ , (4)
reverse-flow region is small comparing with that in flow ρ ū2 ūμ σ η
under no magnetic field.) In this region, the induced
electric current can return easily in the positive y- 
ρ ūlz σ
direction, since this region having small velocity is large Re = , Ha = B0 lz , Rm = σ μlz ū (5)
η η
and thus its electric resistance is small. The induced
current in the negative y-direction in the fluid bulk where Re, Ha, and Rm are the Reynolds number, the
region, therefore, may become larger than in the fully Hartmann number, and the magnetic Reynolds num-
developed flow regions, as represented by thick lines in ber, respectively. The final non-dimensional basic equa-
Figure 2. The Lorentz force being exerted in the negative tions are expressed by
x-direction and thus the MHD pressure drop along the
x-axis may become larger than those in the fully devel-
oped flow regions. ∇ ·v =0 (6)

∂v
+ (v · ∇ ) v
2.2. Calculation methods ∂t
1 1
Formulation by using induced magnetic field has been = −∇ p + ∇ 2 v + (∇ × B) × Ha (7)
Re Re
adopted in the present numerical calculations. The con-
tinuity equation, the momentum equation, and the
∂B 1 1 2
induction equation are expressed, respectively by = ∇ × (v × Ha) + ∇ B (8)
∂t Rm Rm
For simplification, star (∗ ) is omitted in Equation (6)
through Equation (8) and in the following description.
∇ ·v =0 (1)
Note that the Hartmann number Ha = (0, 0, Ha) is a
vector with only known and constant z-component.
  Regarding the boundary condition on the flow veloc-
∂v
ρ + (v · ∇ ) v ities, the inflow boundary condition is applied at the
∂t
1 flow inlet, i.e. at x = 0, by giving the fully developed
= −∇ p + η∇ 2 v + (∇ × B) × B0 (2) MHD flow velocity distribution obtained by the author
μ
[8]. The outflow boundary condition is adopted at the
flow outlet, i.e. at x = lx2 , by giving the reference pres-
∂B 1 2
= ∇ × (v × B0 ) + ∇ B (3) sure.
∂t σμ Regarding the boundary condition on the induced
where t, v, B, p, and B0 are the time, the velocity vec- magnetic fields, ∂B/∂x = 0 is applied at the flow inlet
tor, the induced magnetic field vector, the pressure, and and the flow outlet. This means that the induced cur-
the applied magnetic field vector, respectively, and η, rent does not change in the x-direction. Also, B = 0
μ, and σ are the viscosity, the magnetic permeability, is adopted at the walls by assuming that the walls are
 JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 1303

electrically insulating (non-conducting). The boundary 1.2

conditions on the induced magnetic fields at the sym-
metry plane of z = 0 are not intuitively clear. Thus, by 1.0
calculating for the whole flow cross-section with small
Re and Ha, it has been confirmed that the conditions are 0.8
expressed by u Present Calc.
0.6

u
z = 0 : A(−z) = −A(z),
B(−z) = −B(z), C(−z) = C(z) 0.4

0.2
where A, B, and C are the x, y, and z components of B,
respectively. Note that A and B are odd functions of z
0.0
though C is an even function of z. (At the symmetry 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
(a)
plane of y = 0, A, B, and C are all even functions of y.) y
The calculations are carried out using a 30 × 35 × 1.2
15 grid (Case A, i.e. Figure 1) or a 30 × 15 × 35 grid
(Case B, i.e. Figure 2) (in x-, y-, and z-directions) in the
Downloaded by [University of New England] at 20:40 19 December 2017

1.0
large channel and a 30 × 15 × 15 grid (in x-, y-, and
z-directions) in the small channel, with gird elements 0.8
closely spaced near the channel walls, particularly near u Present Calc.
the walls perpendicular to the applied magnetic field, u Shercliff
0.6
u

and near the contraction. For example, the grids are

arranged at z = 0.0, … , 0.9, 0.95, 0.97, 0.99, 0.995, 1.0
0.4
in the small channel. The discretization of the equations
is performed with the finite difference method, and the
0.2
marker and cell (MAC) method is adopted as the solu-
tion procedure. The staggered-grid formation is used
0.0
and the first-order accurate upwind differencing for the 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
(b)
fluid convection terms in Equation (7) is adopted. z
The calculations start from the initial conditions giv-
Figure . Velocity distribution in fully developed region in case
ing the fully developed velocity profiles in both the large of Re = , Ha = , and AR = . (a) u(y) at z =  and (b) u(z)
channel and the small channel, and continue until the at y = .
velocity distributions particularly around the contrac-
tion and the pressure gradient along the x-axis do not
where subscripts 1 and 2 stand for the large channel
change.
and the small channel, respectively, u is (average) veloc-
ity and ζ is the loss coefficient through the contrac-
tion. Equation (9) is transformed into non-dimensional
3. Calculation results expression:
 
3.1. Loss coefficient 1 A2 2 1 1
+ p1 = + p2 + ς (10)
2 A1 2 2
In the present study, the ‘aspect ratio (AR)’ is defined as
the ratio of the height of channel wall parallel to applied where A is flow cross-section. For simplification, star
magnetic field to that perpendicular to applied mag- (∗ ) is omitted in Equation (10) and in the following
netic field in the small channel after the contraction. For description.
example, AR = 2ly1 /2lz = ly1 /lz in Case A (Figure 1). According to a reference book, such as Reference [9],
Also, the ‘contraction ratio (CR)’ is defined as the ratio the loss coefficient for the flow under no magnetic field
of the flow area in the small channel to that in the large condition is estimated to be 0.24 for CR = A2 /A1 = 1/2.
channel. For example, CR = (2ly1 × 2lz )/(2ly2 × 2lz ) =
ly1 /ly2 in Case A (Figure 1). 3.2. Comparison with existing analytical solution
In order to define the loss coefficient is considered
the extended Bernoulli equation for a horizontal chan- Present calculation results for fully developed flows
nel, excluding the MHD pressure drop or the frictional have been compared with analytical solutions by
pressure drop in the fully developed region: Shercliff [10] for fully developed flow. Figure 3(a,b)
shows the velocity (u) distribution along y-axis and
along z-axis, respectively, in the case of Re = 1000,
u21 p1 u2 p2 u2
+ = 2+ +ς 2 (9) Ha = 100, and AR = 1. The velocity distribution u(z)
2g ρg 2g ρg 2g
 1304 H. KUMAMARU

Table . Comparison of pressure drop in fully developed region between present calculation and
Shercliff.
Re       
Ha       
A -dp/dx (Present Calc.) . . . . . . .
B -dp/dx (Shercliff) . . . . . . .
(A-B)/B . . . . −. . .

2.0 2.0
p Calculated Pressure

1.5 p1 ' 1.5

p2 p1
' v
1.0 0.2 u

y
p

1.0 2
p2
Downloaded by [University of New England] at 20:40 19 December 2017

0.5
0.5
For Fully-Developed Flow
Hydraulic Grade Line
Energy Grade Line
0.0
0.0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
0 5 10 15 x
x
Figure . Velocity (u, v) distribution in x–y plane at z = ., Case
Figure . Pressure along x-axis in Case A, Re = , Ha = ,
A, Re = , Ha = , Rm = ., CR = /, and AR = .
Rm = ., CR = /, and AR = .

in the present calculation agrees well with that derived
by Shercliff, as shown in Figure 3(b). Simple expression
on the velocity distribution u(y) is not given by Sher-
cliff. Table 1 gives comparison of the pressure drops
−∂ p/∂x between the present calculation and Sher-
cliff ’s analytical solution for several combinations of Re
and Ha in the case of AR = 1. The present calcula-
tion results agree with Shercliff ’s analytical solutions
within 0.2%.
3.3. Contraction in direction perpendicular to
applied magnetic field (Case A)
... Base case
For the contraction in the direction perpendicular to
applied magnetic field (i.e. Case A), a base case calcula-
tion, Case A1, was carried out for Ha = 100, Re = 1000,
and Rm = 0.001. These non-dimensional parameters
simulate laboratory condition, i.e. a liquid-metal flow
with a velocity of ∼10 cm/s in a channel with ∼1 cm
width under an applied magnetic field of ∼1 T. The
other parameters are set as follows: lz = 1, ly1 = 1, ly2 =
2, lx1 = 7.5 and lx2 = 15 (i.e. AR = 1 and CR = 1/2).
Figure 4 shows the pressure along the x axis in
the base case (Case A1). The solid line indicates the
hydraulic grade line (representing the static pressure
energy, refer to Equations (9) and (10)). The pressure
drops, i.e. the gradients of the hydraulic grade lines, for
the fully developed MHD flows in the large channel and
in the small channel, except for the region near to the
contraction, agree with those obtained by the author for
the fully developed MHD flows [8]. This is also true for
all the calculations presented in this paper. The dotted
line indicates the energy grade line (representing the
static pressure energy plus the kinematic energy, refer
to Equations (9) and (10)). The difference in the energy
grade lines at the contraction (at x = lx1 ( = 7.5)), i.e.
p1 ’ − p2 ’, corresponds to the energy loss due to the con-
traction, i.e. (1/2) ζ in non-dimensional form (refer to
Equations (9) and (10)). The loss coefficient obtained
from Figure 4 is 0.32, i.e. a positive value. This means
that the pressure recovery (increase) does not appear
through the sudden channel contraction.
Figure 5 shows the velocity vector (u, v) distribu-
tion in the x–y plane at z = 0.05. Except for the region
near to the contraction, a fully developed flow veloc-
ity profile appears in both the large channel and the
small channel. The velocity profiles in the fully devel-
oped regions in the large channel and in the small chan-
nel agree with corresponding profiles obtained by the
author for fully developed MHD flows [8]. This is also
true for all the calculations presented in this paper. The
separation region (i.e. low-flow or reverse-flow region)
just upstream of the contraction is quite small, and the
flow contraction just downstream of the contraction
does not appear.
Figure 6(a–c) shows the induced electric current vec-
tor (jx , jy ) distribution in the x–y plane at z = 0.05,
0.65, and 0.9975, respectively. In a fully developed flow
regions except for the region near to the contraction, the
 JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 1305

2.0 Table . Loss coefficients for sudden contraction in direction

perpendicular to applied magnetic field, Case A.
Case Re Ha Rm CR AR∗ ζ
1.5
A   . /  .
jy A   . /  .
A   . /  .
1.0 1 A   . /  .
jx
y

0.4 A   . /  .

A   . /  .
A   . /  .
0.5 A   . /  .
A   . /  .
A */ */ .*/ / / .
A * *.* / / .
0.0 A // // .// /  .
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 A / / ./ /  .
(a) x ∗ AR: the aspect ratio in the small channel after the contraction.

2.0
1.0 1.0

0.8 0.8
1.5
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0.6 0.6
jy

ζ
0.4 0.4

1.0 1 0.2 0.2

jx
y

0.4 0.0 0.0

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 0 100 200 300 400 500
(a) Re (b) Ha
0.5
1.0 1.0

0.8 0.8

0.6 0.6
0.0

ζ
ζ

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 0.4 0.4
(b) x 0.2 0.2
2.0 0.0 0.0
1/2 1/3 1/4 1/4 1/2 1 2 4
(c) CR (d) AR

1.5 Figure . Effects of Re, Ha, CR, and AR on loss coefficient (ζ ), Case
jy A. (a) ζ vs. Re, (b) ζ vs. Ha, (c) ζ vs. CR, and (d) ζ vs. AR.

1.0 60
jx
y

60 induced current profiles in the fully developed regions

0.5
0.0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
(c) x induced electric current in the fluid bulk region flows
Figure . Induced current (jx , jy ) distribution in x–y plane, Case
A, Re = , Ha = , Rm = ., CR = /, and AR = . (a) At
z = ., (b) at z = ., and (c) at z = ..
induced currents are uniform along the x-axis and flow
in negative y-direction in the fluid bulk regions from
z = 0 to z = 0.96, as shown in Figure 6(a,b). On the other
hand, in the thin fluid regions close to the walls from
z = 0.98 to z = 1.0, the induced currents are uniform
along the x-axis and flow largely in positive y-direction,
as shown in Figure 6(c). (Note that the scale size of vec-
tor is different between Figure 6(a,b) and Figure 6(c).)
These uniform-induced currents along the x-axis pro-
duce uniform velocity distributions and constant MHD
pressure drops in the fully developed flow regions. The
in the large channel and in the small channel agree with
corresponding profiles obtained by the author for fully
developed MHD flows [8]. This is also true for all the
calculations presented in this paper.
In the region just upstream of the contraction, the
in the negative y-direction and is larger than that in the
fully developed flow region, as shown in Figure 6(a,b).
This differs from the expectation stated as for Figure 1
(Case A) in Section 2.1. This larger-induced current just
upstream of the contraction may result in a positive loss
coefficient for the contraction.
... Loss coefficients
Table 2 summarizes the loss coefficients (ζ ) obtained
from calculations by changing the Re number, the Ha
number, the CR, and the AR. Figure 7 also shows graph-
ically the effects of Re number, Ha number, CR, and AR
on loss coefficient. In all the calculations, the loss coef-
ficients take positive values, meaning that the pressure
recovery (increase), expected in Section 2.1, does not
occur. In contrast to this, the author has already showed
 1306 H. KUMAMARU
2.5
p
Calculated Pressure
2.0
p1 '
p1
1.5
p2 '
p
1.0
p2
For Fully-Developed Flow
0.5
Hydraulic Grade Line
Energy Grade Line
0.0
0 5 10
x
Figure . Pressure along x-axis in Case B, Re = , Ha = ,
Rm = ., CR = /, and AR = .
Downloaded by [University of New England] at 20:40 19 December 2017
that the loss coefficients generally take negative values
due to the MHD effect in the case of the channel expan-
sion in the direction perpendicular to applied magnetic
field [5].
3.4. Contraction in direction of applied magnetic
field (Case B)
... Base case
A base case calculation, Case B1, was carried out for
Ha = 100, Re = 1000, and Rm = 0.001. The other
parameters are set as follows: ly = 1, lz1 = 1, lz2 = 2,
lx1 = 7.5 and lx2 = 15 (i.e. AR = 1 and CR = 1/2).
Figure 8 shows the pressure along the x-axis in the
base case. The difference in the energy grade lines at
the contraction (at x = lx1 ( = 7.5)), i.e. p1 ’ − p2 ’,
corresponds to the energy loss due to the contrac-
tion. The loss coefficient (ζ ) obtained from Figure 8
is 1.25. This is larger than the corresponding value
in the case of channel expansion, calculated by the
author [5].
Figure 9 gives the velocity vector (u, w) distribution
in the x–z plane at y = 0.05. Except for the region near to
the contraction, a flat velocity profile typical to the fully
developed MHD flow appears in both the large chan-
nel and the small channel. The velocity profile along
the z-axis (i.e. in the direction of applied magnetic field)
shown in Figure 9 is much flatter than that along the y-
axis (i.e. in the direction perpendicular to applied mag-
netic field) given in Figure 5. In the region just upstream
of the contraction, the low-flow (in the x-direction) or
reverse-flow region appears in the range of 1 < z < 2.
Figure 10(a–c) shows the induced electric current
vector (jx , jy ) distribution in the x–y plane at z =
0.05, 1.875, and 1.9975, respectively. As shown in
Figure 10(a,b), in the fully developed flow regions
except for the region near to the contraction, the
induced currents are uniform along the x-axis and
2.0
1.5
w
1.0 0.2 u
z
2
0.5
0.0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
15 x
Figure . Velocity (u, w) distribution in x–z plane at y = .,
Case B, Re = , Ha = , Rm = ., CR = /, and
AR = .
flow in negative y-direction in the fluid bulk region.
These uniform-induced currents along the x-axis pro-
duce uniform velocity distributions and constant MHD
pressure drops in the fully developed flow regions.
On the other hand, in the region close to the con-
traction, the induced electric currents flow largely in
negative y-direction in the fluid bulk region from x =
7 to x = 8.5 comparing with the corresponding fully
developed flow regions, as shown in Figure 10(a), and
the induced currents flow largely in positive y-direction
in the low-flow or reverse-flow region from x = 6 to
x = 7.5, as shown in Figure 10(b). The reason of these
increases in the induced currents is mentioned in detail
in Section 2.1 in explaining Figure 2 (i.e. Case B). The
former increases in the induced current in the fluid bulk
region from x = 7 to x = 8.5, shown in Figure 10(a),
result in the increase in the Lorentz force and thus the
MHD pressure drop. As shown in Figure 10(c), in the
thin region close to the upper wall upstream of the con-
traction, the induced currents are uniform along the x-
axis and flow largely in positive y-direction in the fully
developed flow region except for the region near to the
contraction. (Note that the scale size of vector is differ-
ent between Figure 10(a,b)and Figure 10(c).)
... Case of large Hartmann number
Figure 11 shows the pressure along the x-axis for the
case of Ha = 500 (Case B7) which gives the largest loss
coefficient (ζ ). The other parameters are the same as
those for the base case (B1). Even in the fully developed
regions upstream and downstream of the contraction,
because of a large Ha number, the pressure gradient in
Case B7 is much larger than that in Case B1 (the base
case, Figure 8). (Note that the difference in the scale of
y-axis between Figures 8 and 11.) The decrease in the
energy grade line at the contraction (at x = lx1 ( = 7.5)),
i.e. p1 ’ − p2 ’, is approximately 7.3, resulting in a loss coef-
ficient of 13.8.
 JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 1307

1.0 20
p
Calculated Pressure
15
jy
2 p1 '
0.5 jx
y

p1
10 10

p
5 p2 '
For Fully-Developed Flow p2
0.0 Hydraulic Grade Line
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 Energy Grade Line
0
(a) x 0 5 10 15
x
1.0
Figure . Pressure along x-axis in Case B, Re = , Ha = ,
Rm = ., CR = /, and AR = .
Downloaded by [University of New England] at 20:40 19 December 2017

jy 2.0
0.5 2
jx
y

10
1.5
w
1.0 0.2 u
z

2
0.0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
(b) 0.5
x
1.0
0.0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
x
jy Figure . Velocity (u, w) distribution in x–z plane at y = .,
20 Case B, Re = , Ha = , Rm = ., CR = /, and AR = .
0.5 jx
y

40

x-direction) or reverse-flow region appears in the range

0.0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
(c) x the region close to the contraction, the induced cur-
Figure . Induced current (jx , jy ) distribution in x–y plane, Case
B, Re = , Ha = , Rm = ., CR = /, and AR = . (a) At
z = ., (b) at z = ., and (c) at z = ..
Figure 12 gives the velocity vector (u, w) distribution
in the x–z plane at y = 0.05. The velocity distributions in
the fully developed regions in Case B7 are further flat-
ter than those in Case B1 (Figure 9), due to a large Ha
number. (The magnitude of the velocity is nearly the
same up to the wall in Figure 12, though the magni-
tude decreases near the wall in Figure 9.) In the region
just upstream of the contraction, the low-flow (in the
of 1 < z < 2.
Figure 13(a–c) shows the induced electric current
vector (jx , jy ) distribution in the x–y plane at z =
0.05, 1.875, and 1.9975, respectively, for Case B7. In
rents flow fairly largely in negative y-direction in the
fluid bulk region from x = 7 to x = 9, as shown in
Figure 13(a), and the induced currents flow fairly largely
in positive y-direction in the low-flow or reverse-flow
region from x = 5.5 to x = 7.5, as shown in Figure 13(b).
The reason of these increases in the induced currents is
mentioned in detail in Section 2.1 in explaining Figure 2
(i.e. Case B). These induced currents in this case are
considerably larger than those in Case B1 (the base case,
Figure 10(a,b)), since the Ha number in this case is
five times as much as that in Case B1. (Note that the
difference in the scale of the induced current between
Figures 10(a,b) and 13(a,b).) The former increases in
the induced current in the fluid bulk region from x = 7
 1308 H. KUMAMARU

1.0 Table . Loss coefficients for sudden contraction in direction

of applied magnetic field, Case B.
Case Re Ha Rm CR AR∗ ζ

B   . /  .

jy B   . /  .
B   . /  .
0.5 5 B   . /  .
jx
y

25 B   . /  .

B   . /  .
B   . /  .
B   . /  .
B   . /  .
B */ */ .*/ / / .
B * *.* / / .
0.0 B // // .// /  .
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 B / / ./ /  .

(a)
x ∗ AR: the aspect ratio in the small channel after the contraction.

6 14
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1.0 5 13
4 4
3 3
ζ

ζ
2 2
jy 1 1
0 0
0.5 5 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 0 100 200 300 400 500
jx
y

Re Ha
25 (a) (b)
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
ζ

0.0 2 ζ 2
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 1 1
(b) x 0 0
1/2 1/3 1/4 1/4 1/2 1 2 4
CR AR
(c) (d)

1.0 Figure . Effects of Re, Ha, CR and, AR on loss coefficient (ζ ),

Case B. (a) ζ vs. Re, (b) ζ vs. Ha, (c) ζ vs. CR, and (d) ζ vs. AR.

jy
the x-axis and flow largely in positive y-direction in the
0.5 50
jx
y

fully developed flow region except for the region near

100
to the contraction. (Note that the scale size of vector is
different between Figure 13(a,b) and Figure 13(c).)

0.0 ... Loss coefficient

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
(c) x from calculations by changing the Re number, the Ha
Figure . Induced current (jx , jy ) distribution in x–y plane, Case
B, Re = , Ha = , Rm = ., CR = /, and AR = . (a) At
z = ., (b) at z = ., and (c) at z = ..
to x = 9, shown in Figure 13(a), result in the consider-
able increases in the Lorentz force and thus the pressure
drop and the loss coefficient. As shown in Figure 13(c),
in the thin region close to the upper wall upstream of
the contraction, the induced currents are uniform along
Table 3 summarizes the loss coefficients (ζ ) obtained
number, the CR, and the AR. Figure 14 also shows
graphically the effects of Re number, Ha number, CR,
and AR on loss coefficient. All the cases give positive
and large loss coefficients, meaning that the pressure
drop through the sudden contraction becomes larger
than those in the fully developed flows. In particular,
the loss coefficient becomes considerably large when
the Ha number increases. The loss coefficient generally
becomes larger than that in the case of corresponding
channel expansion, calculated by the author [5].

4. Conclusion
Three-dimensional numerical calculations have been
performed on the MHD flows through rectangular
channels with sudden contractions in the direction both
perpendicular and parallel to applied magnetic field.
The following conclusions have been obtained from the
numerical calculations.
In the sudden contraction in the direction perpen-
dicular to applied magnetic field, the loss coefficient
takes a positive value in all the cases performed in this
study, contrary to the expectation, meaning that the
pressure drop occurs through the channel contraction.
This result is in contrast to that in the sudden expan-
sion in the direction perpendicular to applied magnetic
field, where the loss coefficient generally takes a neg-
ative value due to the MHD effect, meaning that the
pressure recovery (increase) occurs through the chan-
Downloaded by [University of New England] at 20:40 19 December 2017
nel expansion.
In the sudden contraction in the direction of applied
magnetic field, the loss coefficient takes a positive
and large value in all the cases performed in this
study, meaning that the pressure drop through the con-
traction becomes large. In particular, the loss coeffi-
cient becomes considerably large when the Ha number
increases. The loss coefficient generally becomes larger
than that in the case of corresponding channel expan-
sion in the direction of applied magnetic field.
Nomenclature
A x component of induced magnetic field
A1 channel cross-section in large channel
(upstream of contraction)
A2 channel cross-section in small channel
(downstream of contraction)
B (A, B, C), induced magnetic field vector
B y component of induced magnetic field
B0 (0, 0, B0 ), applied magnetic field vector
B0 applied magnetic field
C z component of induced magnetic field
g gravitational acceleration
Ha (0, 0, Ha), Hartmann number vector
Ha Hartmann number
j (jx , jy , jz ), induced current vector
jx x component of induced current
jy y component of induced current
jz z component of induced current
lx 1 position of contraction measured from
inlet
lx 2 position of outlet measured from inlet
ly , ly 1 , ly 2 half width of channel side perpendicu-
lar to applied magnetic field
lz , lz 1 , lz 2 half width of channel side parallel to
applied magnetic field
p pressure
Re Reynolds number
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 1309
Rm magnetic Reynolds number
t time
u x component of velocity
v (u, v, w), velocity vector
v y component of velocity
w z component of velocity
ū average of u
η viscosity
μ magnetic permeability
ρ density
σ electric conductivity
ζ loss coefficient
Superscripts
∗
(Star) non-dimensional
Subscripts
1 large channel upstream of contraction
2 small channel downstream of contrac-
tion
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
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