Influence of the Richardson number on em force driven flow structures in square-shaped crucible

This study is devoted to the experimental investigation of the turbulent melt motion in a square crucible where the flow is created by Lorentz forces generated by an external AC magnetic field. As a strong vertical thermal gradient is present in melt during a directional solidification process, a stratification effect takes place and motion in the vertical direction is damped by buoyancy forces. Such a situation arises if density of fluid layers decreases with height. Experimental velocity and temperature measurements are conducted. Transient effects, like collapse of stratification, are observed experimentally. The significance of stratification in the directional solidification method is discussed.