LAUSR

Abstract In this paper, a novel structure of electromagnetic pump to efficiently drive metal fluid was proposed, which can be called layered stack electromagnetic pump. Firstly, the coupled interaction mechanism of multi-physics fields was numerically interpreted, and the parameter optimizations of DC-EMP were systemically conducted. The optimization results show that inserting insulation bars can significantly reduce current dissipation by 69.7% in center line. And using closed iron yoke is beneficial to obtain a strong and uniform magnetic field. Moreover, the low flow duct is good to obtain a large pressure head. Based on the optimization results, a five layer structure of flow duct was provided. And a prototype was fabricated and tested. It shows that such pump can provide pressure head 120 kPa @ 300 A and maximum flow rate 6.9 L/min @300 A. It works smoothly and silently, and even, can operate steadily after two year intermittent operation. And this pump operation temperature was limited below 120 °C. Finally, the challenges unsolved and further optimization measures were suggested. Overall, the layered stack DC-EMP presented here enables liquid metal to be rather promising heat transfer fluid in advancing the field of extreme heat flux heat dissipation and thermal energy transportation.