The interaction between magnetic fields and convection is an interesting phenomenon because of its many important engineering applications. Due to natural convection motion the electric conductive fluid in a magnetic field experiences a Lorenz force and its effect is usually to reduce the flow velocities. A magnetic field can be used to control the flow field and increase or reduce the heat transfer rate. In this paper, the effect of a magnetic field in a natural convection flow of an electrically conducting fluid in a rectangular cavity is studied numerically. The two side walls of the cavity are maintained at two different constant temperatures while the upper wall and the lower wall are completely insulated. The coupling of the Navier-Stokes equations with the Maxwell equations is discussed with the assumptions and main simplifications assumed in typical problems of magnetohydrodynamics. The nonlinear Lorenz force generates a rich variety of flow patterns depending on the values of the Grashof and Hartmann numbers. Numerical simulations are carried out for different Grashof and Hartmann numbers. The effect of the magnetic field on the Nusselt number is discussed as well as how convection can be suppressed for certain values of the Hartmann number under appropriate direction of the magnetic field.
