Conduction and induction pumps for liquid metals

Abstract

Two main types of electromagnetic pump for liquid metals can be distinguished: conduction pumps, a.c. or d.c., in which a magnetic field is established across a tube containing liquid metal, and current is fed to the liquid through electrodes connected to the tube walls; and induction pumps, in which a travelling field induces the required current, as in the induction motor. The induction pump takes three main forms: annular linear (Alip), flat linear (Flip), and spiral (Sip).These are probably the most useful types of electromagnetic pump for liquid metal, and each is examined and compared in an attempt to predict their relative performance and their main design features.