Novel method to detect flow profiles in liquid metals in a Bridgman configuration

S. R. Prasad; C. Mallika; Timothy J. Anderson; Ranga Narayanan

doi:10.1117/12.277731

7 July 1997 Novel method to detect flow profiles in liquid metals in a Bridgman configuration

S. R. Prasad, C. Mallika, Timothy J. Anderson, Ranga Narayanan

Proceedings Volume 3123, Materials Research in Low Gravity; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.277731
Event: Optical Science, Engineering and Instrumentation '97, 1997, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

A solid state electrochemical method for flow visualization was developed to investigate the orientation of flow due to natural convection in semiconductor melts, contained in a simulated vertical Bridgman configuration. The Bridgman ampoule was constructed from recrystallized alumina and multiple solid-state electrochemical cells/sensors were incorporated along the periphery of the ampoule, electrically insulated from one another. Liquid tin was used as the model fluid to represent a high temperature, low Prandtl number, opaque Bridgman melt. Atomic oxygen was used as a tracer species, which could be potenstiostatically injected or extracted locally at one of the sensors and the oxygen concentration changes were monitored at the other cell locations on the melt/electrolyte boundaries in the potentiometric mode as a function of time. Various convective flow patterns were inferred from these results for different aspect ratios of the melt and as a function of the imposed temperature gradient. The experimental results were shown to agree well with theoretical predictions. The technique was also able to discern transcritical points in the dynamic state of the melt.

Citation Download Citation

S. R. Prasad, C. Mallika, Timothy J. Anderson, and Ranga Narayanan "Novel method to detect flow profiles in liquid metals in a Bridgman configuration", Proc. SPIE 3123, Materials Research in Low Gravity, (7 July 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.277731

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available