Lorentz force particle analyzer

Xiaodong Wang (1) , André Thess (2) , René Moreau (3) , Yanqing Tan (1) , Shangjun Dai (4) , Zhen Tao (1) , Wenzhi Yang (1) , Bo Wang (1)

1 CAS - Chinese Academy of Sciences [Beijing]
2 Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics, Aerospace Center
3 SIMaP - Science et Ingénierie des Matériaux et Procédés
4 NBUT - Ningbo University of Technology

A new contactless technique is presented for the detection of micron-sized insulating particles in the flow of an electrically conducting fluid. A transverse magnetic field brakes this flow and tends to become entrained in the flow direction by a Lorentz force, whose reaction force on the magnetic-field-generating system can be measured. The presence of insulating particles suspended in the fluid produce changes in this Lorentz force, generating pulses in it; these pulses enable the particles to be counted and sized. A two-dimensional numerical model that employs a moving mesh method demonstrates the measurement principle when such a particle is present. Two prototypes and a three-dimensional numerical model are used to demonstrate the feasibility of a Lorentz force particle analyzer (LFPA). The findings of this study conclude that such an LFPA, which offers contactless and on-line quantitative measurements, can be applied to an extensive range of applications. These applications include measurements of the cleanliness of high-temperature and aggressive molten metal, such as aluminum and steel alloys, and the clean manufacturing of semiconductors. Published by AIP Publishing.

Domaines: Matériaux

Xiaodong Wang, André Thess, René Moreau, Yanqing Tan, Shangjun Dai, et al.. Lorentz force particle analyzer. Journal of Applied Physics, 2016, 120 (1), ⟨10.1063/1.4956842⟩. ⟨hal-01384337⟩