Numerical Analysis of Molten Metal under Magnetic Field Using ALE Method

Abstract

In this paper, we describe a new FEM (finite element method)-BEM (boundary element method) analysis of molten metal under alternating currents. Nowadays, it is very important to calculate MHD (magneto-hydrodynamics) flows under an AC (alternating current) magnetic field in order to control the molten metal processing in a furnace by an electromagnetic force. Few previous researchs report on three-dimensional analysis for the circulating molten metal. Therefore, we attempt a three-dimensional calculation with the A-φ method using hybrid FEM-BEM, an improved method over the conventional FEM, and to capture the surface shape that influences the ALE method. The numerical analysis of an electromagnetic fluid using mercury is performed in order to observe the tangled physical parameters of an electromagnetic field in the vessel. To stabilize the meniscus shape, a DC magnetic field is imposed and the shape of the surface is held in three cases.