The fluid flow aspects of electromagnetic levitation processes (Q1321941)

The magnetohydrodynamic phenomena in a magnetically levitated liquid sphere are studied analytically. Special emphasis is put on the global levitation capability and the magnetically driven fluid flow phenomena. In contrast to previous efforts, the study is not restricted to the high frequency limit, and the solution is valid for all frequencies and for any conducting material. The solutions can be related to technically important practical parameters (input current e.g.). The analytical calculations are based on the mathematical expressions for the electromagnetic fields induced in the magnetically levitated sphere, and the total lifting force is obtained analytically by integration. The global levitation stability is then evaluable. The liquid flow inside, which is driven by the induced electromagnetic force, is calculated analytically; however, some assumptions and simplifications are made concerning the Stokesian and isothermal nature of the fluid flow, the deformability of the sample and the stability of the process. The analytical results are discussed both for earthbound and microgravity conditions. The role of the assumptions with respect to the feasibility of the analytical calculations and the circumstances of the actual experiments is briefly discussed.