A Circular Magneto-Hydrodynamic (MHD) Micropump With Electrolyte Solution
Linear and circular magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) micro-pumps that operate with electrolyte solutions were studied experimentally. Each pump consisted of a conduit with a square cross-section. The linear pump consisted of a straight conduit with its inlet and an outlet subjected to different pressures. The circular pump consisted of a conduit bent into a loop. Copper electrodes were aligned along the two opposite walls of the conduits. Experiments were carried out with various electrolyte solutions such as NaCl, FeCl2/FeCl3, and CuSO4 at various concentrations. The device was placed in a uniform magnetic field and a potential difference was applied across the electrodes. The resulting current interacted with the magnetic field to produce a Lorenz force that propelled the liquid. The electric current and the flow rate were measured as functions of the imposed potential difference across the electrodes, the electrolyte composition and concentration, and the adverse pressure head. The feasibility of using the closed-loop MHD pump to transfer heat from a heat source to a heat sink was also explored.