Flow control of seawater with a diverging duct by MHD separation method

A unique control method for a diverging seawater flow based on electromagnetic force, the so-called MHD (magnetohydrodynamics) separation method, is performed. The experimental apparatus is composed of a 10-T class superconducting magnet, a separation cell, a seawater tank, and a flow system. The constructed separation cell contains parallel electrodes, 18 mm wide, 40 mm long and 20 mm apart, and a diverging duct divided into equal parts, A (not affected by electromagnetic force) and B (affected by electromagnetic force). The dependence of flow ratio (mass of side-A sample solution/total mass of sample solution) on electric current, magnetic field, NaCl concentration and sample velocity has been studied experimentally using NaCl aqueous solution. The possibility of flow control of seawater with a diverging duct by the MHD separation method as well as experimental results are discussed.