The integral equation method for a steady kinematic dynamo problem
Journal of Computational Physics
Journal of Computational Physics
Hi-index | 31.45 |
The conventional magnetic induction equation that governs hydromagnetic dynamo action is transformed into an equivalent integral equation system. An advantage of this approach is that the computational domain is restricted to the region occupied by the electrically conducting fluid and to its boundary. This integral equation approach is first employed to simulate kinematic dynamos excited by Beltrami-like flows in a finite cylinder. The impact of externally added layers around the cylinder on the onset of dynamo actions is investigated. Then it is applied to simulate dynamo experiments within cylindrical geometry including the ''von Karman sodium'' (VKS) experiment and the Riga dynamo experiment. A modified version of this approach is utilized to investigate magnetic induction effects under the influence of externally applied magnetic fields which is also important to measure the proximity of a given dynamo facility to the self-excitation threshold.