Electromagnetic processes in an anisotropically electrically conducting liquid in a running magnetic field

Objective: Purpose is the study electromagnetic processes in an electrically conducting liquid (with anisotropic conductivity) flowing in the channel of an MHD-alternator under the acting of a running magnetic field. Methods: We used Maxwell's equations to describe the electromagnetic processes. Galerkin method is used to determine the current functions. Results: For the case of small values of the magnetic Reynolds number the equations for the induced field and currents in an electrical conducting liquid are given in the form of converging power series. It is shown that for a sufficiently accurate determination of the current functions it is necessary to take into account the first three terms of the series. The first two terms of the other series must be taken into account to determi-nate the solution for the induced field. It is revealed that the induced currents in an electrically conducting liquid consist of currents of zero, main and double frequencies. The currents of zero and double frequencies play a negative role since they lead to an increase in joule losses and the for-mation of forces. These forces do not make the useful work. To reduce them the side walls of the channel should be conductive. We established that the anisotropy of the electrical conductivity of the liquid causes a decrease the currents of the main frequency. Practical importance: The magnet-ic Reynolds number significantly affects the field distribution in a liquid metal. The field of the main frequency increases with its increase and the fields of zero and double frequency become smaller. At the small values of Reynolds number the Hall effect is stronger and the field distribution is less symmetrical. At large values the field distribution is symmetrized due to a decrease in the zero and doub¬le frequency fields.