Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Surface Magneto-Hydrodynamic Propulsion Induced by NdFeB Magnets

The so-called surface Magneto-hydro-dynamic(MHD)propulsion relies on the Lorentz force induced in weak electrolyte solutions(such as seawater or plasma)by NdFeB Magnets.The Lorentz force plays an important role in such dynamics as it directly affects the structures of flow boundary layers.Previous studies have mainly focused on the development of such boundary layers and related fluid-dynamic aspects.The main focus of the present study is the determination of electromagnetic field distributions around the propulsion units.In particular dedicated experiments and numerical simulations(based on the finite volume method)are conducted considering a NACA0012 airfoil immersed in seawater.The results show that,along the propulsion unit,the field strength undergoes a rapid attenuation in the direction perpendicular to the wall.