Numerical investigation and comparison of the rectangular, cylindrical, and helical-type dc electromagnetic pumps

Abstract

Rectangular, cylindrical, and helical-type DC electromagnetic pumps with a low flowrate of 6 cc/s and a developed pressure of 10 bar were comparatively analyzed for a liquid lithium transportation system operating at a temperature of 300oC. The design variables for DC electromagnetic pumps with different types of geometries were optimized to attain the required flowrate and developed pressure. The relation between the developed pressure and the input current was analyzed for an incompressible liquid metal flow in the channels of all three types of DC electromagnetic pumps. Theoretical calculations showed that the helical-type DC electromagnetic pump, which had multiple connected ducts with parallel contacts for a reduced input current, needed 120f the current of the rectangular- and cylindrical-type pumps to satisfy the hydrodynamic conditions, despite the more or less complex geometry.