An electromagnetic arrayed pump to create arbitrary velocity profiles in fluid

Abstract

The present paper is conducted to develop a new structure of an electromagnetic pump capable of controlling the magnetic field in a rectangular channel. Common electromagnetic pumps do not create uniform velocity profiles in the cross-section of the channel. In these pumps, an M-shape profile is created since the fluid velocity in the vicinity of the walls is higher than that in its center. Herein, the arbitrary velocity profiles in the electromagnetic pump are generated by introducing an arrayed structure of the coils in the electromagnetic pump and implementing 3D numerical simulation in the finite element software COMSOL. The dimensions of the rectangular channel are 5.5 × 150 mm2. Moreover, the magnetic field is provided using a core with an arrayed structure made of low-carbon iron, as well as five couples of coils. 20% NaoH solution is utilized as the fluid (conductivity: 40 S/m). The arrayed pump is fabricated and experimentally created an arbitrary velocity profile. The pressure of the pump in every single array is 12 Pa and the flow rate is equal to 3375 mm3/s. According to the results, there is a good agreement between the experimental test carried out herein and the simulated models.Article highlights This is the first time that the idea of arrayed electromagnetic pump is presented. This pump uses a special arrayed core with coils; by controlling the current of each coil and the direction of the currents, the magnetic field under the core could be adjusted. By changing the magnetic field at any position in the width of the channel, the Lorentz force alters, which leads to different velocity and pressure profiles. Using COMSOL multiphysics software, the electromagnetic pump was simulated in real size compared to the experimental model. Subsequently, the simulation model was verified and different velocity profiles were generated by activation and deactivation of different coils. The pressure and velocity curves and contours were extracted. The experimental setup was manufactured and assembled. NaOH solution was utilized as the fluid. Afterwards, different modes of coil activations were investigated and the pressure and velocity profiles of the pump were calculated.