Model Experiment for Molten Metal Temperature Homogenization with Rotating Permanent Magnet

In order to obtain a uniform thermal distribution of a liquid metal melt in e.g. aluminum furnaces, mixing can be provided by rotating permanent magnets. A rotating permanent magnet generates a rotating magnetic field which induces a volume force in the nearby liquid metal. This paper presents a quick-and-dirty experimental and numerical study of temperature equalization with a permanent magnet for a liquid metal volume with a vertical temperature gradient. Thermocouples and a thermal camera have been used to capture the temperature dynamics. The setup consists of a thin walled stainless steel container filled with GaInSn eutectic alloy and a cylindrical NdFeB permanent magnet placed near the side wall. A parametric sweep has been performed by changing the inclination angle of the magnet in order to find the most efficient position for which the thermal balance can be achieved the fastest.