DOI: 10.1615/ICHMT.2006.TurbulHeatMassTransf
ISBN Print: 978-1-56700-229-4
ISSN: 2377-2816
Two-way Coupled MHD Simulations of the Riga Magnetic Dynamo Experiment
ABSTRACT
According to the fluid magnetic-dynamo theory, the mechanism of magnetic field self-amplification of an electrically conductive working medium is responsible for creation and maintenance of the magnetic fields in galaxies, stars and planets. In order to experimentally confirm this phenomenon, which is believed to originate from the self-amplification of a background electromagnetic fields due to Lorentz force created by fluid flow, a group at the Institute of Physics, University of Latvia, Riga, successfully performed a series of measurements, finally proving for the very first time the realisability of this process. In this paper we present our attempt to numerically simulate the Riga dynamo experiment under realistic conditions. The integrated version of the finite-volume Navier-Stokes/Maxwell solver is developed and a hybrid RANS/DNS approach is introduced for hydrodynamical and electromagnetic variables, respectively. Numerical simulations confirmed the experimentally recorded self-excitation of the magnetic field. The magnetic field growth-rate, intensity and frequency predictions are in close agreement with experiments.