The dissertation explores a framework for numerically simulating the deformation of the liquid metal wall's free surface in Z-pinch fusion devices. This research is conducted in the context of utilizing liquid metals as plasma-facing components in fusion reactors. In the Z-pinch fusion process, electric current travels through a plasma column and enters into a pool of liquid metal. The current flowing through the liquid metal generates Lorentz force, which deforms the free surface of the liquid metal. Modeling this phenomenon is essential as it offers insights into the feasibility of using liquid metal as an electrode wall in such fusion devices. The conventional magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) formulation aims at modeling the situation where an external magnetic field is applied to flows involving electrically conducting liquids, with the initial magnetic field is known and then evolved over time through magnetic induction equation. However, in Z-pinch fusion devices, the electric current is directly injected into a conducting liquid. In these situations, an analytical expression for the magnetic field generated by the applied current is not readily available, necessitating numerical calculations. Moreover, the deformation of the liquid metal surface changes the geometry of the current path over time and the resulting magnetic field. By directly solving the Maxwell equations in combination with Navier-Stokes equations, it becomes possible to predict the magnetic field even when the fluid is in motion. In this dissertation, a numerical framework utilizing the Maxwell-Navier-Stokes system is explored to successfully capture the deformation of the liquid metal's free surface due to applied electric current. / Doctor of Philosophy / In this dissertation, a method is described that uses a computer to simulate how the initially stable, flat surface of liquid metal deforms when subjected to electrical currents in Z-pinch fusion devices, a specific type of nuclear fusion technology. Z-pinch fusion devices generate plasma, a hot fluid-like substance, through the nuclear fusion process, triggered and maintained by strong pulsated current. There's a growing interest in using liquid metal as the first layer of material to isolate the hot plasma from the rest of the nuclear fusion reactor body, rather than solid materials, due to its unique benefits. However, the Z-pinch fusion process, by introducing electric currents through the liquid metal layer, induces a Lorentz force that consequently deforms the surface of the liquid metal. Developing a tool to predict this deformation is vital as it aids in evaluating the potential of using liquid metal as a plasma-facing layer over solid materials in these fusion devices. The simulation tools presented in this dissertation are able to successfully captures the dynamics of how the liquid metal surface deforms under the impact of electrical currents.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/118138 |
| Date | 23 February 2024 |
| Creators | Murugaiyan, Suresh |
| Contributors | Aerospace and Ocean Engineering, Brizzolara, Stefano, Srinivasan, Bhuvana, Paterson, Eric G., Adams, Colin |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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