Numerical analysis of fluid flow with free surface and phase change under electromagnetic force

In this study, fluid flow of liquid metal with free surface and melting of metal under electromagnetic force was investigated numerically. The computational code was developed by the authors based upon a finite difference method to simulate the free surface flow and the eddy current simultaneously. The VOF method was introduced to treat the free surface, and magnetic vector potential was used for eddy current analysis. The free surface shape predicted by the code agreed with that obtained experimentally. Furthermore, the code was improved to calculate the phase change (melting) of solid metal by Joule heating due to eddy current. Numerical results of melting of metal were also demonstrated.