Hydromagnetic instability of a free shear layer at small magnetic Reynolds numbers

1971 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanefusa Gotoh

The effect of a uniform and parallel magnetic field upon the stability of a free shear layer of an electrically conducting fluid is investigated. The equations of the velocity and the magnetic disturbances are solved numerically and it is shown that the flow is stabilized with increasing magnetic field. When the magnetic field is expressed in terms of the parameter N (= M2/R2), where M is the Hartmann number and R is the Reynolds number, the lowest critical Reynolds number is caused by the two-dimensional disturbances. So long as 0 [les ] N [les ] 0·0092 the flow is unstable at all R. For 0·0092 < N [les ] 0·0233 the flow is unstable at 0 < R < Ruc where Ruc decreases as N increases. For 0·0233 < N < 0·0295 the flow is unstable at Rlc < R < Ruc where Rlc increases with N. Lastly for N > 0·0295 the flow is stable at all R. When the magnetic field is measured by M, the lowest critical Reynolds number is still due to the two-dimensional disturbances provided 0 [les ] M [les ] 0·52, and Rc is given by the corresponding Rlc. For M > 0·52, Rc is expressed as Rc = 5·8M, and the responsible disturbance is the three-dimensional one which propagates at angle cos−1(0·52/M) to the direction of the basic flow.

1968 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 433-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung-Hwan Ko

A study is made of the stability of a viscous, incompressible fluid with a finite conductivity flowing between parallel planes in a parallel magnetic field. The general form of the magnetohydrodynamic stability equation is a sixth-order differential equation. The complete sixth-order differential equation is solved numerically as an eigenvalue problem. Stability curves are obtained for a range of values of the magnetic Reynolds number Rm and the Alfvé n number A based on two-dimensional disturbances. It is found that the minimum critical Reynolds number is raised as Rm increases for a given A2 and as A2 increases for a given Rm, respectively. The stability curve closes and finally degenerates to a point which gives the critical value for Rm or A2. Results obtained for two-dimensional disturbances are modified to take into account three-dimensional disturbances. Then the minimum critical Reynolds number where three-dimensional disturbances become apparent is obtained, below which two-dimensional disturbances are the most unstable.


2007 ◽  
Vol 574 ◽  
pp. 131-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. VOROBEV ◽  
O. ZIKANOV

Instability and transition to turbulence in a temporally evolving free shear layer of an electrically conducting fluid affected by an imposed parallel magnetic field is investigated numerically. The case of low magnetic Reynolds number is considered. It has long been known that the neutral disturbances of the linear problem are three-dimensional at sufficiently strong magnetic fields. We analyse the details of this instability solving the generalized Orr–Sommerfeld equation to determine the wavenumbers, growth rates and spatial shapes of the eigenmodes. The three-dimensional perturbations are identified as oblique waves and their properties are described. In particular, we find that at high hydrodynamic Reynolds number, the effect of the strength of the magnetic field on the fastest growing perturbations is limited to an increase of their oblique angle. The dimensions and spatial shape of the waves remain unchanged. The transition to turbulence triggered by the growing oblique waves is investigated in direct numerical simulations. It is shown that initial perturbations in the form of superposition of two symmetric waves are particularly effective in inducing three-dimensionality and turbulence in the flow.


2017 ◽  
Vol 822 ◽  
pp. 813-847 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azan M. Sapardi ◽  
Wisam K. Hussam ◽  
Alban Pothérat ◽  
Gregory J. Sheard

This study seeks to characterise the breakdown of the steady two-dimensional solution in the flow around a 180-degree sharp bend to infinitesimal three-dimensional disturbances using a linear stability analysis. The stability analysis predicts that three-dimensional transition is via a synchronous instability of the steady flows. A highly accurate global linear stability analysis of the flow was conducted with Reynolds number $\mathit{Re}<1150$ and bend opening ratio (ratio of bend width to inlet height) $0.2\leqslant \unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}\leqslant 5$. This range of $\mathit{Re}$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}$ captures both steady-state two-dimensional flow solutions and the inception of unsteady two-dimensional flow. For $0.2\leqslant \unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}\leqslant 1$, the two-dimensional base flow transitions from steady to unsteady at higher Reynolds number as $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}$ increases. The stability analysis shows that at the onset of instability, the base flow becomes three-dimensionally unstable in two different modes, namely a spanwise oscillating mode for $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}=0.2$ and a spanwise synchronous mode for $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}\geqslant 0.3$. The critical Reynolds number and the spanwise wavelength of perturbations increase as $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}$ increases. For $1<\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}\leqslant 2$ both the critical Reynolds number for onset of unsteadiness and the spanwise wavelength decrease as $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}$ increases. Finally, for $2<\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}\leqslant 5$, the critical Reynolds number and spanwise wavelength remain almost constant. The linear stability analysis also shows that the base flow becomes unstable to different three-dimensional modes depending on the opening ratio. The modes are found to be localised near the reattachment point of the first recirculation bubble.


The first part of the paper is a physical discussion of the way in which a magnetic field affects the stability of a fluid in motion. Particular emphasis is given to how the magnetic field affects the interaction of the disturbance with the mean motion. The second part is an analysis of the stability of plane parallel flows of fluids with finite viscosity and conductivity under the action of uniform parallel magnetic fields. We show that, in general, three-dimensional disturbances are the most unstable, thus disagreeing with the conclusion of Michael (1953) and Stuart (1954). We show how results obtained for two-dimensional disturbances can be used to calculate the most unstable three-dimensional disturbances and thence we prove that a parallel magnetic field can never completely stabilize a parallel flow.


1995 ◽  
Vol 299 ◽  
pp. 153-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Davidson

It is well known that the imposition of a static magnetic field tends to suppress motion in an electrically conducting liquid. Here we look at the magnetic damping of liquid-mental flows where the Reynolds number is large and the magnetic Reynolds number is small. The magnetic field is taken as uniform and the fluid is either infinite in extent or else bounded by an electrically insulating surface S. Under these conditions, we find that three general principles govern the flow. First, the Lorentz force destroys kinetic energy but does not alter the net linear momentum of the fluid, nor does it change the component of angular momentum parallel to B. In certain flows, this implies that momentum, linear or angular, is conserved. Second, the Lorentz force guides the flow in such a way that the global Joule dissipation, D, decreases, and this decline in D is even more rapid than the corresponding fall in global kinetic energy, E. (Note that both D and E are quadratic in u). Third, this decline in relative dissipation, D / E, is essential to conserving momentum, and is achieved by propagating linear or angular momentum out along the magnetic field lines. In fact, this spreading of momentum along the B-lines is a diffusive process, familiar in the context of MHD turbulence. We illustrate these three principles with the aid of a number of specific examples. In increasing order of complexity we look at a spatially uniform jet evolving in time, a three-dimensional jet evolving in space, and an axisymmetric vortex evolving in both space and time. We start with a spatially uniform jet which is dissipated by the sudden application of a transverse magnetic field. This simple (perhaps even trivial) example provides a clear illustration of our three general principles. It also provides a useful stepping-stone to our second example of a steady three-dimensional jet evolving in space. Unlike the two-dimensional jets studied by previous investigators, a three-dimensional jet cannot be annihilated by magnetic braking. Rather, its cross-section deforms in such a way that the momentum flux of the jet is conserved, despite a continual decline in its energy flux. We conclude with a discussion of magnetic damping of axisymmetric vortices. As with the jet flows, the Lorentz force cannot destroy the motion, but rather rearranges the angular momentum of the flow so as to reduce the global kinetic energy. This process ceases, and the flow reaches a steady state, only when the angular momentum is uniform in the direction of the field lines. This is closely related to the tendency of magnetic fields to promote two-dimensional turbulence.


Author(s):  
D. H. Michael

The ordinary theory of stability of plane parallel flows is considerably simplified by a result due to Squire (2) which says that if a velocity profile becomes unstable to a small three-dimensional disturbance at a given Reynolds number, then it will become unstable to a small two-dimensional disturbance at a lower Reynolds number. This result enables us to restrict investigation of the stability to the cases of two-dimensional disturbances.


Linearized equations are derived which govern the stability of a viscous, electrically conducting fluid in motion between two parallel planes in the presence of a co-planar magnetic field. With one suitable approximation, which restricts the valid range of Reynolds number of the theory, the problem of stability is reduced to the solution of a fourth-order ordinary differential equation. The disturbances considered are neither amplified nor damped, but are neutral. Curves of wave number against Reynolds number for neutral stability are calculated for a range of values of a certain parameter, q , which represents the magnetic effects. For given physical and geometrical properties, the critical Reynolds number above which the flow is unstable rises with the strength of the magnetic field. These results are completely within the range of the approximation mentioned. In addition, an energy relation is derived which illustrates the balance between energy transferred from the basic flow to the disturbances, and that dissipated by viscosity and by the magnetic field perturbations.


2000 ◽  
Vol 418 ◽  
pp. 265-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. MÜCK ◽  
C. GÜNTHER ◽  
U. MÜLLER ◽  
L. BÜHLER

This paper presents a numerical simulation of the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) liquid metal flow around a square cylinder placed in a rectangular duct. In the hydrodynamic case, for a certain parameter range the well-known Kármán vortex street with three-dimensional flow patterns is observed, similar to the flow around a circular cylinder. In this study a uniform magnetic field aligned with the cylinder is applied and its influence on the formation and downstream transport of vortices is investigated. The relevant key parameters for the MHD flow are the Hartmann number M, the interaction parameter N and the hydrodynamic Reynolds number, all based on the side length of the cylinder. The Hartmann number M was varied in the range 0 [les ] M [les ] 85 and the interaction parameter N in the range 0 [les ] N [les ] 36. Results are presented for two fixed Reynolds numbers Re = 200 and Re = 250. The magnetic Reynolds number is assumed to be very small. The results of the numerical simulation are compared with known experimental and theoretical results. The hydrodynamic simulation shows characteristic intermittent pulsations of the drag and lift force on the cylinder. At Re = 200 a mix of secondary spanwise three-dimensional instabilities (A and B mode, rib vortices) could be observed. The spanwise wavelength of the rib vortices was found to be about 2–3 cylinder side lengths in the near wake. At Re = 250 the flow appears more organized showing a regular B mode pattern and a spanwise wavelength of about 1 cylinder side length. With an applied magnetic field a quasi-two-dimensional flow can be obtained at low N ≈ 1 due to the strong non-isotropic character of the electromagnetic forces. The remaining vortices have their axes aligned with the magnetic field. With increasing magnetic fields these vortices are further damped due to Hartmann braking. The result that the ‘quasi-two-dimensional’ vortices have a curvature in the direction of the magnetic field can be explained by means of an asymptotic analysis of the governing equations. With very high magnetic fields the time-dependent vortex shedding can be almost completely suppressed. By three-dimensional visualization it was possible to show characteristic paths of the electric current for this kind of flow, explaining the action of the Lorentz forces.


2018 ◽  
Vol 861 ◽  
pp. 382-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver G. W. Cassells ◽  
Tony Vo ◽  
Alban Pothérat ◽  
Gregory J. Sheard

This study seeks to elucidate the linear transient growth mechanisms in a uniform duct with square cross-section applicable to flows of electrically conducting fluids under the influence of an external magnetic field. A particular focus is given to the question of whether at high magnetic fields purely two-dimensional mechanisms exist, and whether these can be described by a computationally inexpensive quasi-two-dimensional model. Two Reynolds numbers of $5000$ and $15\,000$ and an extensive range of Hartmann numbers $0\leqslant \mathit{Ha}\leqslant 800$ were investigated. Three broad regimes are identified in which optimal mode topology and non-modal growth mechanisms are distinct. These regimes, corresponding to low, moderate and high magnetic field strengths, are found to be governed by the independent parameters; Hartmann number, Reynolds number based on the Hartmann layer thickness $R_{H}$ and Reynolds number built upon the Shercliff layer thickness $R_{S}$, respectively. Transition between regimes respectively occurs at $\mathit{Ha}\approx 2$ and no lower than $R_{H}\approx 33.\dot{3}$. Notably for the high Hartmann number regime, quasi-two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic models are shown to be excellent predictors of not only transient growth magnitudes, but also the fundamental growth mechanisms of linear disturbances. This paves the way for a precise analysis of transition to quasi-two-dimensional turbulence at much higher Hartmann numbers than is currently achievable.


Author(s):  
Francine Battaglia ◽  
George Papadopoulos

The effect of three-dimensionality on low Reynolds number flows past a symmetric sudden expansion in a channel was investigated. The geometric expansion ratio of in the current study was 2:1 and the aspect ratio was 6:1. Both experimental velocity measurements and two- and three-dimensional simulations for the flow along the centerplane of the rectangular duct are presented for Reynolds numbers in the range of 150 to 600. Comparison of the two-dimensional simulations with the experiments revealed that the simulations fail to capture completely the total expansion effect on the flow, which couples both geometric and hydrodynamic effects. To properly do so requires the definition of an effective expansion ratio, which is the ratio of the downstream and upstream hydraulic diameters and is therefore a function of both the expansion and aspect ratios. When the two-dimensional geometry was consistent with the effective expansion ratio, the new results agreed well with the three-dimensional simulations and the experiments. Furthermore, in the range of Reynolds numbers investigated, the laminar flow through the expansion underwent a symmetry-breaking bifurcation. The critical Reynolds number evaluated from the experiments and the simulations was compared to other values reported in the literature. Overall, side-wall proximity was found to enhance flow stability, helping to sustain laminar flow symmetry to higher Reynolds numbers in comparison to nominally two-dimensional double-expansion geometries. Lastly, and most importantly, when the logarithm of the critical Reynolds number from all these studies was plotted against the reciprocal of the effective expansion ratio, a linear trend emerged that uniquely captured the bifurcation dynamics of all symmetric double-sided planar expansions.


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