Abstract
The effect of a magnetic field on laminar natural convection of liquid metal was studied experimentally using NaK as conducting fluid. The magnetic field was imposed horizontally and parallel to a uniformly heated vertical plate, to act perpendicularly across the convective flow. In a low magnetic field, the temperature profile across the layer of flowing fluid acquired an η-shaped profile characterized by a valley close to the wall and a peak further away, which had the effect of raising heat transfer rate above that obtained in the absence of magnetic field. When the magnetic field was intensified, its braking effect on the flow approached the temperature profile to the case of pure heat conduction through solid, to result in dwindling heat transfer rate.
