Numerical analysis of MHD duct flow with a flow channel insert

The duct with a flow channel insert (FCI) which is made of silicon carbon composite (SiCf/SiC) is a key element in dual coolant lead lithium (DCLL) blanket, and the most important problems of FCI is the magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) issues. In this paper it is presented the study of MHD issues in FCI duct flow using Fluent code, the modification of the FCI with a pressure equalization slot (PES) has been considered in this simulation. Numerical and experimental results of velocity distribution and MHD pressure drop of FCI were given in this paper, then compare and discuss the difference between them. From the experimental and numerical results it indicated that the FCI with insulating material could greatly reduce MHD pressure drop. For fully developed MHD duct flow a general second-order simple method has been developed which solve the unsteady equations and let the steady state be approached asymptotically at large times. Using this method can get accurate result for MHD duct flow in the condition of high Hartmann number without FCI. Then using this method numerical simulation was performed with MHD duct flow with FCI.