Computers & Fluids 88 (2013) 410–417

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Computers & Fluids

j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w . e l s e v i e r . c o m / l o c a t e / c o m p fl u i d

Three dimensional numerical analysis of magnetic field effect on

Convective heat transfer during the MHD steady state laminar flow
of liquid lithium in a cylindrical pipe
Ziyaddin Recebli, Selcuk Selimli ⇑, Engin Gedik
Dept. of Energy Systems Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Karabuk University, Karabuk 78050, Turkey

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: In this study, effect of perpendicularly applied magnetic field on steady state laminar liquid lithium flow
Received 2 December 2012 in a horizontal circular pipe was theoretically analysed with 3D computer base programme. Convective
Received in revised form 31 August 2013 heat transfer behaviour has been examined. Liquid lithium flow was observed for two different condi-
Accepted 9 September 2013
tions as cooling and heating with constant wall temperature. Analyse was proceeded for thermal fully
Available online 21 September 2013
developed but hydro-dynamically transient region of flow. Calculation was carried out with ANSYS Fluent
software. As a result, by the increase of magnetic field induction, the local flow velocity was decreased,
Keywords:
but the Nusselt number, skin friction coefficient and pressure was increased for the heating and cooling
Magneto hydrodynamic flow
Convective heat transfer
conditions of liquid lithium through the pipe length. Additionally, while the liquid lithium was heating
Magnetic field induction the fluid temperature was decreased and also while the liquid lithium was cooling the fluid temperature
Liquid lithium was increased by the increase of magnetic field induction through the pipe length. Increase of magnetic
Nusselt number field induction enhanced the convective heat transfer and so, indirectly improved the cooling and heating
Skin friction coefficient of liquid lithium.
Ó 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction conductivity variation, have significant impact on the hydro mag-

Known that, flow velocity of electrical conductive fluids is af-
fected by the externally applied magnetic field. MHD pumps and
generators operations are based on the behaviour of the fluids.
There is lots of study about this principle in academicals field.
The specification of this study is the examination of the effect on
velocity and also the effect on the heat convection.
Makinde explained the combined effects of Navier slip and
Newtonian heating on an unsteady hydro magnetic boundary layer
stagnation point flow towards a flat plate in the presence of a mag-
netic field. It is revealed that the thermal boundary layer thickens
with a rise in the flow unsteadiness and as Newtonian heating
intensifies, while the local skin friction and the rate of heat transfer
at the plate surface change significantly due to the slip parameter
[1]. Makinde investigated the steady flow and heat transfer of an
electrically conducting fluid with variable viscosity and electrical
conductivity between two parallel plates in the presence of a trans-
verse magnetic field. Results revealed that the combined effect of
magnetic field, viscosity, exponents of variable properties, various
fluid and heat transfer dimensionless quantities and the electrical
⇑ Corresponding author. Address: 100. Yıl Mah. Balıklar Kayasi Mevki Karabuk
University, 78050 Karabuk, Turkey. Tel.: +90 370 433 8202; fax: +90 370 433 8204.
E-mail addresses: zrecebli@karabuk.edu.tr (Z. Recebli), selcukselimli@karabuk.
edu.tr (S. Selimli), egedik@karabuk.edu.tr (E. Gedik).
netic and electrical properties of the fluid [2]. Makinde studied
the unsteady hydro magnetic Generalised Couette flow and heat
transfer characteristics of a reactive variable viscosity incompress-
ible electrically conducting third grade fluid in a channel with
asymmetric convective cooling at the walls in the presence of uni-
form transverse magnetic field. It is observed that there is an in-
crease in both fluid velocity and temperature with an increase in
the reaction strength, viscous heating and fluid viscosity parameter
(which decreases the viscosity). The velocity decreases with the
increased magnetic field whereas the temperature is noticed to in-
crease under these conditions. A decrease in both fluid velocity and
temperature is observed with an increase in the non-Newtonian
character at low values of the non-Newtonian parameter, higher
values of this parameter lead to blow up of solutions [3]. Makinde
studied the hydro-magnetic boundary layer flow with heat and
mass transfer over a vertical plate in the presence of magnetic field
and a convective heat exchange at the surface with the surround-
ing. It was found that the local skin-friction coefficient, local heat
and mass transfer rate at the plate surface increases with an in-
crease in intensity of magnetic field, buoyancy forces and
convective heat exchange parameter [4]. Li et al. an exponential
higher-order compact, referred to as EHOC, finite difference
scheme has been formulated for solving the two-dimensional
coupled equations representing the steady incompressible, viscous
MHD flow though a straight channel of rectangular section. The

0045-7930/$ - see front matter Ó 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compfluid.2013.09.009
 Z. Recebli et al. / Computers & Fluids 88 (2013) 410–417
Nomenclature
q density, (kg/m3)
t time, (s)
P pressure, (Pa)
l dynamic viscosity, (kg/m s)
J electrical current density, (A/m2)
r electrical permeability, (S/m)
E electrical field
cp specific heat, (J/kg K)
Cf skin friction coefficient
Wf friction loss, (W)
U velocity, (m/s)
B magnetic field induction, (T)
M Hartman number
Re Reynolds number
Nu Nusselt number
N Stuart number
Pr Prandtl number
D diameter, (m)
computational results show that when compared with other
numerical methods developed in the literature, the present meth-
od has the advantage of better scale resolution with smaller num-
ber of grid nodes [5]. Hayat et al. dealt with the effects of mass
transfer on the two-dimensional stagnation point flow of an
upper-convected Maxwell (UCM) fluid over a stretching surface.
The similarity transformations convert the governing nonlinear
partial differential equation into nonlinear ordinary differential
equation. Computations for the out coming systems are presented
by a homotopy analysis method (HAM) [6]. Hayat et al. argued
about homotopy analysis method to study the influence of radia-
tion on the MHD mixed convection stagnation-point flow in a por-
ous medium. The values of the skin friction coefficient and the local
Nusselt number are found to decrease when the value of Pr is in-
creased in assisting and opposing flows [7]. Hayat et al. concerned
with the magneto hydrodynamic (MHD) flow of a Jeffery fluid in a
porous channel. Series solution to the nonlinear problem is con-
structed by a powerful analytic approach namely the homotopy
analysis method (HAM). Suction parameter decreases the bound-
ary layer thickness [8]. Ellahi et al. aimed to determine analytic
solutions for a nonlinear problem governing the magneto hydrody-
namic (MHD) flow of a third grade fluid in the annulus of rotating
concentric cylinders. For no magnetic field, an increase in  leads to
a decrease in the velocity profile and increase in the boundary
layer thickness [9]. Abelman et al. studied the numerical solutions
of steady state rotating and magneto hydrodynamic (MHD) flow of
a third grade fluid past a rigid plate with slip. The velocity profile u
increases with increasing N and tends to 1 as z ? 1, whereas the
velocity profile v decreases with increasing N and tends to 0 as
z ? 1, that is far away from the plate [10]. Abbasbandy et al. stud-
ied the mathematical analysis for boundary layer flow is subjected
to a transverse magnetic field. Magnetic field also increases the
skin friction [11]. Hayat et al. looked at the mass transfer of the
steady two-dimensional magneto hydrodynamic (MHD) boundary
layer flow of an upper-convected Maxwell (UCM) fluid past a por-
ous shrinking sheet in the presence of chemical reaction. It is noted
that the magnitude of the velocity decreases for large values of M.
However, this change in the velocity near the surface is maximum
and far away from the surface, this change is small and finally ap-
proaches to zero [12]. Sajid et al. investigated the magneto hydro-
dynamic (MHD) flow and heat transfer characteristics in the
presence of a uniform applied magnetic field. The skin friction
411
L length, (m)
T temperature, (K)
Tw wall temperature, (K)
Ti inlet temperature, (K)
To ambient temperature, (K)
R radius, (m)
Lh hydraulic entrance length, (m)
Lt Thermal entrance length, (m)
k thermal conductivity of the fluid, (W/m K)
h heat transfer coefficient, (W/m2 K)
sw shear stress, (N/m2)
» er o/@r + eh 1/r @/@h + ez o/@z; Del operator in cylindrical
coordinates.
er, eh, ez unit vectors in cylindrical coordinates.
D »2 = @ 2/@r2 +1/r @/@r + 1/r2 @ 2/@h2 + @ 2/@z2; Laplace oper-
ator
coefficient decreases as the magnetic parameter or the third grade
parameter increases [13]. Grigoriadis et al. investigated the exten-
sion of the IB method for wall-bounded MHD simulations of liquid
metals, which are of fundamental importance and are associated
with high computational cost. It can be concluded that the pro-
posed extension of the IB method can provide a valuable numerical
tool for efficient and accurate three-dimensional simulations of
wall-bounded MHD flows with arbitrarily shaped non-conducting
surfaces [14]. Motozawa et al. explained that effect of magnetic
field on heat transfer in rectangular duct laminar flow of a mag-
netic fluid (W 40) was investigated experimentally. Experiment
was performed with changing magnetic field intensity and this
magnetic field can be varied from 0 mT to 500 mT. Magnetic fluid
in the rectangular duct is heated with uniform heat flux. As a result
of this experiment, heat transfer coefficient increases locally in the
region where magnetic field exists and becomes larger with
increasing magnetic field intensity. About 20% of maximum
increasing rate of heat transfer was obtained in the laminar flow
of the magnetic fluid with applying magnetic field [15]. Gavili
et al. clarified the two-dimensional, incompressible and laminar
time dependant combined natural and magnetic convective heat
transfer flow through a magnetic fluid. The cavity is under the
influence of an imposed two dimensional magnetic field which is
created by Helmholtz coils. The main objective of this study is
the numerical investigation of the thermo magnetic convection
process for different positions of the cavity between the coils and
determines the effect of magnetic field gradient on the heat trans-
fer of magnetic fluid. The average Nusselt number increases under
the magnetic field effect [16]. Kumari et al. discussed about the
flow and heat transfer over a stretching sheet with a magnetic field
in an electrically conducting ambient fluid has been studied. The
effects of the induced magnetic field and sources or sinks have
been included in the analysis. Both non-isothermal wall and con-
stant heat flux conditions have been considered. The governing
equations have been solved numerically using a shooting method.
It is observed that for the prescribed wall temperature the skin fric-
tion, induced magnetic field at the wall and heat transfer are en-
hanced due to the magnetic field [17]. Sukoriansky et al. showed
that the effect of a uniform magnetic field on the heat transfer of
liquid metal forced flows in straight rectangular channels sub-
jected to a uniform heat flux on one of the walls parallel to the field
is experimentally studied. The experiments covered the domain
412 Z. Recebli et al. / Computers & Fluids 88 (2013) 410–417
3.8 > U > 18 cm/s; 0 > B > 0.9 T; 0 > M > 300 and
4  103 > Re > 2  104. It is found that the application of the mag-
netic field improves the heat transfer in channels made of both
non-conducting walls and of conducting walls [18]. Lahjomri
et al. presented thermal developing laminar Hartmann flow
through a parallel plate channel, with prescribed transversal uni-
form magnetic field, including both viscous dissipation, Joule heat-
ing and axial heat conduction with uniform heat flux is studied
analytically by using a functional analysis method. The analytical
expressions for the developing temperature and local Nusselt
number in the entrance region are obtained in the general case. Re-
sults show that as long as M increases, the heat transfer increases
until certain saturation is reached, for which the effect of magnetic
field on Nusselt number vanishes completely. Finally, a practical
empirical expression for local Nusselt number is proposed in terms
of axial distance and Hartmann number M [19]. Cuevas et al. ana-
lysed the heat transfer in fully-developed liquid-metal flows in a
square duct with a uniform, transverse magnetic field is analysed.
Velocity profiles obtained for laminar and turbulent regimes are
employed to solve the heat transfer equation through finite differ-
ences, in a duct with one side wall (parallel to the magnetic field)
uniformly heated and three adiabatic walls. Numerical calculations
for liquid lithium show that for thin conducting wall duct cases,
the laminar MHD heat transfer mechanism, characterised by high
velocity side-wall jets, appears to be more efficient than turbulent
mixing in the boundary layer for a given Peclet number [20]. Aydın
et al. studied numerically the steady laminar magneto-hydrody-
namic (MHD) mixed convection heat transfer about a vertical slen-
der cylinder. A uniform magnetic field is applied perpendicular to
the cylinder. The resulting governing equations are transformed
into the non-similar boundary layer equations and solved using
the Keller box method. Generally, it is determined that the local
skin friction coefficient and the local heat transfer coefficient
increase [21]. Abbasi et al. discussed about the laminar flow of a
viscous incompressible electrically conducting fluid in a
backward-facing step is investigated under the usual magneto-
hydrodynamic (MHD) hypothesis. Numerical simulations are
performed for Reynolds numbers less then Re = 380 in the range
of 0 6 N 6 0.2, where N is the Stuart number or interaction param-
eter which is the ratio of electromagnetic force to inertia force.
Heat transfer is investigated for Prandtl number ranging from
Pr = 0.02 corresponding to liquid metal, to Pr = 7 corresponding to
water. Heat transfer is significantly enhanced by the magnetic field
in the case of fluids of high Prandtl numbers [22]. Zniber et al. ar-
gued that an MHD laminar flow through a two dimensional chan-
nel subjected to a uniform magnetic field and heated at the walls of
the conduit over the whole length with a sinusoidal heat flux of
vanishing mean value or not, is studied analytically. General
expressions of the temperature distribution and of the local and
mean Nusselt numbers are obtained by using the technique of lin-
ear operators in the case of negligible Joule and viscous dissipation
and by taking into account the axial conduction effect. The princi-
pal results show that an increase of the local Nusselt number with
Hartmann number is observed, and, far from the inlet section, the
average heat transfer between the fluid and the walls shows a sig-
nificant improvement [23]. Rao et al. numerically studied on an
annular duct formed by a SS316 circular tube with electrically con-
ducting walls and a coaxial heater pin, with liquid Lithium as the
working fluid for magnetic field ranging from 0 to 1 T. The Hart-
mann and Stuart number of the study ranges from 0 to 700 and
0 to 50 respectively. The Reynolds number of the study is 104. It
was shown that the convective heat transfer and hence the Nusselt
number decreases near the walls perpendicular to the magnetic
field due to reduction in turbulent fluctuations with increase of
magnetic field. It was observed that the Nusselt number value in-
creases near the walls parallel to the magnetic field as the mean
velocity increase near the walls [24]. Postelnicu studied the heat
and mass transfer characteristics of natural convection about a ver-
tical surface embedded in a saturated porous medium subjected to
a magnetic field. The governing partial differential equations are
transformed into a set of coupled differential equations, which
are solved numerically using a finite difference method. Increasing
the value of magnetic field increases the local Nusselt number and
local Sherwood number [25]. Takahashi et al. discussed the related
to the lithium cooling for magnetic-confinement fusion reactors,
the characteristics of the pressure drop and heat transfer were
investigated experimentally for a lithium single-phase flow in hor-
izontal conducting rectangular channels under a horizontal trans-
verse magnetic field up to 1.4 T. The bottom of the channel was
electrically heated uniformly. When the Hartmann number was in-
creased further beyond 200–300, the Nusselt number increased
remarkably, which corresponded to the typical MHD heat transfer
enhancement. This heat transfer result is expected to be the basis
for future studies on the MHD heat transfer enhancement [26]. Atik
et al. discussed about the flow velocities of fluids change due to the
effects of magnetic fields, thus affecting heat convection. This
study investigates simultaneous effects of electric and magnetic
fields on heat convection inside a horizontal cylindrical pipe in
2D. According to results of the numerical solution, it is observed
that velocities and temperatures change depending on the flow
and direction of the electric field when effects of perpendicularly
located electric and magnetic fields are increased. It is determined
that while velocity, temperature and Nusselt number increase for a
fluid that is cooled in a positive electric field and, velocity, temper-
ature and Nusselt number decrease for a negative electric field
[27]. Hayat et al. the flow and heat transfer problem of a second
grade fluid film over an unsteady stretching sheet is considered.
The fluid is incompressible and electrically conducting in the pres-
ence of a uniform applied magnetic field. The series solutions of the
governing boundary value problems are obtained by employing
homotopy analysis method (HAM). The convergence of the devel-
oped solutions is discussed explicitly. The dependence of velocity
and temperature profiles on various parameters is shown and dis-
cussed through graphs. The values of skin-friction coefficient, Nus-
selt number and free surface temperature are given in tabular form
for various emerging parameters [28]. Recebli et al. presented in
some studies, the effect of magnetic field on heat convection has
been investigated given that physical properties are constant
regardless of temperature. Momentum, continuity and energy
equations including electromagnetic force affecting the fluid were
used in the solution. Temperatures at axial and radial directions
and Nusselt numbers were calculated depending on magnetic field
intensity and other physical properties of fluid by solving the equa-
tion system written in cylindrical coordinates system by means of
one of the numerical methods which is finite difference method.
According to results, velocity and temperature of the cooled fluid
decreased following an increase in the intensity of magnetic field
placed vertically to flow direction. As determined in the previous
one, this study also indicated that increasing the effect of magnetic
field increases Nusselt number [29]. Soundalgekar et al. discussed
about the boundary-layer solutions for the velocity and tempera-
ture profiles are found for flow of an electrically conducting fluid
over a semi-infinite flat plate in the presence of a transverse mag-
netic field and on taking into account the heat due to viscous dis-
sipation and stress-work. It is observed that for air the skin-friction
and the rate of heat transfer increase with increasing the magnetic
field parameter [30]. Recebli et al. studied the fluids inside an elec-
tromagnetic field are affected from this field. The flow rate and
velocity of fluids with effect of magnetic field are changed accord-
ing to electrical conductivity and magnetic properties. In this
study, the effect of magnetic field on heat convection is investi-
gated. According to the result of numerical solutions, it is seen that
 Z. Recebli et al. / Computers & Fluids 88 (2013) 410–417 413

the increase on the magnetic field intensity which is located per-

pendicular to flow way, causes a decrease flow speed and flow rate,
and also seen that heat convection and heat dispersion for a fluid
that is cooled were lessened. It is determined that while magnetic Fig. 2. Circular pipe model boundary conditions.
field increases, the Nusselt number increases. The theoretical re-
sults obtained from the study are covered with the results obtained
Table 1
by analytically and finite element difference method [31]. Gedik Boundary conditions of pipe model.
et al. presented a two-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics
(CFDs) simulation for the steady, laminar flow of an incompressible Boundary conditions

magneto-rheological (MR) fluid between two fixed parallel plates Heating Cooling
in the presence of a uniform magnetic field. The purpose of this Tw (K) 573.15 473.15
study is to develop a numerical tool that is able to simulate MR flu- Ti (K) 473.15 573.15
ids flow in valve mode and determine B0, applied magnetic field ef- To (K) 293.15 293.15
U (m/s) 0.275 0.275
fect on flow velocities and pressure distributions. A uniform
transverse external magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the
flow direction. The numerical solutions for velocity and pressure
distributions were obtained for different magnetic fields. It was ob- perature (Tw). Fluid inlet velocity (U) and inlet temperature (Ti) is
served that increase in B0 leads to decrease flow velocity [32]. Uda assumed constant. Boundary conditions of pipe model were given
et al. discussed about a large lithium circulation loop was con- in Table 1.
structed in Osaka University. The heat transfer characteristics were In laminar flow, hydrodynamic Eq. (1) and thermal Eq. (2) en-
measured with applying magnetic field. The Nu number was found trance lengths were determined approximately as [35];
to enhance in some magnetic field region, depending on the flow
Lh; laminar ¼ 0:05  Re  D ð1Þ
velocity and size of test channels. The enhancement in Nu was pre-
dicted over two different electrically conducting ducts in magnetic
Lt; laminar ¼ 0:05  Re  D  Pr ð2Þ
field. However, to assess a general applicability of the present con-
clusion, it is required to be examined with more annular and other In this study, Reynolds number was taken as Re = 2200 to exam-
shape of channels [33]. ine the laminar pipe flow. According to the theoretical knowledge
In this paper, influence of magnetic field which is applied per- was given above, thermal and hydro-dynamical entrance lengths
pendicularly to the flow on convective heat transfer was examined for the examined circular pipe model; Lh,laminar = 1.1 m,
theoretically during the flow of liquid lithium in a horizontal circu- Lt,laminar = 0.067 m.
lar pipe. Examined circular pipe model has 0.15 m length and flow was
Gambit software was used to prepare a 0.15 m length, 0.01 m able to be thermal fully developed in the 0.067 m of the pipe
diameter circular pipe model and was illustrated in Fig. 1. length. The pipe length was inadequate to be hydro-dynamical
Model boundary conditions were given in Fig. 2. fully developed laminar flow. Calculating the shear stress Eq. (3)
Steady state, fully developed liquid lithium MHD flow through and value of skin friction coefficient Eq. (4) is given by
the horizontal circular pipe under the effect of perpendicularly ap-
plied magnetic field is studied. In order to obtain maximum effect, sw ¼ DP D=4L ð3Þ
magnetic field was applied perpendicularly to the flow direction.
The applied magnetic field is along the -y direction and liquid me- C f ¼ 2sw =qU 2 ð4Þ
tal is flowing along the +x direction. For the fully developed flow
mentined ,all variables do not change with +x direction except Nusselt number Eq. (5) is given by
for the pressure, p, which is linearly decreasing (@p/@x = constant) Nu ¼ h D=k ð5Þ
through the flow direction. This situation is the driving effect of
flow, we assume that, there is only component of velocity in +x. Analyse was performed by using the momentum Eq. (6), Ohm
We simulated MHD flow through circular pipe which has finite law Eq. (7), continuity Eq. (8) and energy Eq. (9) equations. Vecto-
wall thickness and constant electrical conductivity. rial expression of these equations for steady state condition was gi-
Examined liquid lithium physical properties were taken from ven as below [36].
table [34]. Analyse was achieved for two different conditions of
q  ðU:rÞU ¼ rP þ l  DU þ ½j  B ð6Þ
flow. In the first one, the flowing liquid lithium was heated by
the constant pipe wall temperature (Tw). In the second one, the
flowing liquid lithium was cooled by the constant pipe wall tem-
j ¼ r  ½E þ U  B ð7Þ

r:U ¼ 0 ð8Þ

q  cp  ðU:rÞT ¼ k  DT þ j2 =r þ W f ð9Þ
Calculations were achieved by using ANSYS Fluent software.

2. Material and methods

Circular pipe model had been created and meshed in different

Fig. 1. Examined circular pipe model.
sizes as 0.0015 m, 0.001 m, 0.00075 m, 0.0005 m, 0.00025 m by
using Gambit software. In order to specify optimum mesh size to
exceed the numerical analysis, different mesh size models were
analysed in ANSYS Fluent software without magnetic field. Local
velocity profiles were compared at 0.12 m thermal fully developed
414 Z. Recebli et al. / Computers & Fluids 88 (2013) 410–417
Fig. 3. Comparison of local velocities for mesh study.
pipe length. Comparison of local velocity profiles for mesh study
was given by a graphical illustration in Fig. 3.
Performed mesh study proved that for the 0.0005 m and
0.00025 m mesh sizes local velocity data were converged to each
other. So, in order to obtain smooth surface transition at data
graphics, examination mesh size determined as 0.00025 m. Lastly,
magnetic field induction values was chosen as B = 0 T, B = 0.05 T,
B = 0.1 T, B = 0.15 T for the examination.
3. Results and discussion
In this study, effect of magnetic field which is applied perpen-
dicular to the flow on convectional heat transfer was examined
during the steady state flow of liquid lithium in a constant wall
temperature horizontal cylindrical pipe for cooling and heating
conditions.
Local velocity profiles under the effect of magnetic field induc-
tion values as B = 0 T, B = 0.05 T, B = 0.1 T, B = 0.15 T were com-
pared at 0.12 m thermal fully developed region of the pipe
length. Results clarified that if the magnetic field induction is in-
creased the velocity profile is decreased. B = 0 T was accepted as
a reference state and achieved a statistical analysis to identify
the decrease of local velocity values. Decrease of local velocity val-
ues specified for the B = 0.05 T was approximately about 0.59%, for
the B = 0.1 T was 2.41%, and for the B = 0.15 T was 3.3%. The same
effect on the local velocity profile was observed during the heating
Fig. 4. Comparison of local velocity profiles.
Fig. 5. Comparison of pressure data.
and cooling of liquid lithium. Decrease of local velocity profiles was
shown in Fig. 4.
Variation of pressure values through the central axis of the pipe
by the appliance of the magnetic field induction with the values as
B = 0 T, B = 0.05 T, B = 0.1 T, B = 0.15 T was presented in Fig. 5.
Graphical curves displayed that by the increase of magnetic
field induction, pressure values were increased. By taking the
B = 0 T as a reference state, the changing rate of pressure was sta-
tistically examined. Examination results evaluated that pressure
was increased about 78.49% for the B = 0.05 T, 208.65% for
B = 0.1 T and lastly 338.75% for B = 0.15 T. Magnetic field affect
shows the similar behaviour on the pressure profiles in the course
of heating and cooling.
Variation of temperature values by the effect of magnetic field
was examined for magnetic induction values as B = 0 T, B = 0.05 T,
B = 0.1 T, B = 0.15 T, at the adjacent point (R = 0.0048 m) of pipe
wall through the pipe length. Due to this examination, comparison
of temperature distribution values were carried out for two ther-
mal conditions as heating and cooling of liquid metal and was
shown in Fig. 6a and b. Temperature values of liquid lithium were
decreased by the effect of magnetic field through the pipe length,
during the heating of liquid lithium. The percentage of tempera-
ture decrease rates were evaluated for the magnetic induction val-
ues as B = 0.05 T, B = 0.1 T, B = 0.15 T by taking the B = 0 T as a
reference base and estimation rates are presented in the same or-
der as 0.68%, 1.04%, 1.21%. This decrease was visualised in Fig. 6a.
Similar experimentation was preceded for the cooling of liquid
lithium. In this case, the temperature of liquid lithium was in-
creased through the pipe length and the percentage of the temper-
ature increase in the same order as 0.77%, 1.18% and 1.37% by the
same magnetic field values. This increase was shown in Fig. 6b.
Temperature values of the liquid lithium were compared
through the pipe diameter at thermal fully developed region which
is 0.12 m of the pipe model by the appliance of magnetic induction,
during the cooling and heating separately. Comparison of analysed
temperature values were illustrated in Fig. 7a for heating and in
Fig. 7b for cooling. On the one hand, by the increase of magnetic
field, temperature increase rate was decreased during the heating
of liquid lithium. The comparison was done by taking the B = 0 T
as a reference and so the decrease were evaluated as 0.7%, 0.79%,
0.8% in the range of applied magnetic field induction values. On
the other hand, by the increase of magnetic field, temperature de-
crease rate was increased during the cooling of liquid lithium. The
comparison was occurred by taking the B = 0 T as a reference and
so the increase were evaluated as 0.63%, 0.71%, 0.72% in the range
of applied magnetic field induction values. Temperature profile
 Z. Recebli et al. / Computers & Fluids 88 (2013) 410–417 415

Fig. 6. (a and b) Comparison of temperature.

Fig. 7. (a and b) Comparison of temperature profiles.

Fig. 8. (a and b) 3D temperature distribution of liquid lithium in overall pipe model.

showed that the temperature of liquid lithium did not change
through the centre of pipe because of inadequate length of pipe.
Temperature distribution of liquid lithium through the pipe
length under the effect of different magnetic field induction values
were given in Fig. 8a and b in the case of heating and cooling.
The variation of Nusselt number at the adjacent point of the
pipe wall through the pipe length was examined under the effect
of perpendicularly applied magnetic field on the pipe model. In
Fig. 9a changing of Nusselt number by the appliance of magnetic
field induction values as B = 0 T, B = 0.05 T, B = 0.1 T, B = 0.15 T in
regard to the heating of flowing liquid lithium by a constant wall
temperature and in Fig. 9b with respect to the cooling of flowing
liquid lithium by a constant wall temperature was demonstrated.
As seen in Fig. 9a and b, the change of the Nusselt number shows
the same behaviour for heating and cooling conditions. Graph
curves designated that by the increase of magnetic field induction,
Nussult number values were increased. By taking of B = 0 T as a ref-
erence, achieved a statistical analysis to determine the increase
rate of Nusselt number values by the increase of magnetic field
induction. Under the effect of B = 0.05 T the increase rate was
24.71%, for B = 0.1 T was 42.96%, and for B = 0.15 T was 55.66%,
determined.
The variation of skin friction coefficient at the adjacent point of
the pipe wall through the pipe length was examined under the
effect of perpendicularly applied magnetic field on the pipe model.
The change of the skin friction coefficient shows the same behav-
iour for heating and cooling conditions as seen in Fig. 10. Graph
curves designated that by the increase of magnetic field induction,
skin friction coefficient were increased. By taking of B = 0 T as a
reference, achieved a statistical analysis to determine the increase
416 Z. Recebli et al. / Computers & Fluids 88 (2013) 410–417
Fig. 9. (a and b) Comparison of Nusselt numbers.
Fig. 10. Comparison of skin friction coefficient.
rate of skin friction coefficient by the increase of magnetic field
induction. Under the effect of B = 0.05 T the increase rate was
66.22%, for B = 0.1 T was 82.79%, and for B = 0.15 T was 88.45%,
determined.
At the end of the examination observed results were given as
below.
(1) Local flow velocities were decreased in same rates by the
increase of magnetic field induction, during the heating
and cooling of liquid lithium.
(2) Pressure values were decreased in same rates through the
pipe length by the increase of magnetic field induction,
during the heating and cooling of liquid lithium.
(3) Temperature values of liquid lithium were decreased
through the pipe length by the increase of magnetic field
induction during the heating, and so fluid was heated
slowly.
(4) Temperature values of liquid lithium were increased
through the pipe length by the increase of magnetic field
induction during the cooling, and so fluid was cooled
slowly.
(5) Local temperature values of liquid lithium were compared
by the increase of magnetic field induction through the
pipe diameter. The temperature values were decreased
for heating but were increased for cooling.
(6) During the heating and cooling of liquid lithium Nusselt
number was increased by the increase of magnetic field induction.
So, heat convection rate was positively affected.
(7) Skin friction coefficient was increased by the increase of
magnetic field induction for pipe flow.
4. Conclusion
Effect of magnetic field on convective heat transfer in a horizon-
tal cylindrical pipe flow of liquid lithium has been investigated the-
oretically. In this study, we performed analyses by ANSYS Fluent
programme.
Consequently, by the increase of magnetic field induction val-
ues are applied on liquid lithium flow, the Nusselt number in-
creases. So, convective heat transfer is increased from pipe wall
to liquid lithium in case of heating and from liquid lithium to pipe
wall in case of cooling.
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