Analysis of Electromagnetic Processes in a Transformer Type Magnetohydrodynamic Pump for Liquid Metal Transportations

The primary production of aluminum from natural minerals is associated with high energy and economic costs, while aluminum can be remelted almost an infinite number of times. Aluminum scrap recycling requires less energy and is carried out using a simpler technology. For this reason, the share of recycled aluminum in the structure of its total production is steadily increasing. During the melting process, it is necessary to mix the molten mass by one of the known methods to obtain its uniformity. For small and medium-sized enterprises, these methods should be simple, reliable and economically efficient. The aim of the study was to develop a cost-effective method for mixing the melt with minimal modification of existing furnaces and applied remelting technologies. The article suggests a method combining mechanical mixing and the use of electromagnetic forces to transfer the melt from one part of the bath to another. An induction magnetohydrodynamic AC pump was used to implement the method. The concept has been tested on a digital model implemented in the Ansys Electronics Desktop software package in the Transient mode for a specific furnace of an industrial customer. The proposed approach can be applied for almost any secondary remelting furnace.