What is a moving magnet pump (MMP)?

A moving magnet pump (MMP) is a unique type of electromagnetic (EM) pump that does not suffer from the shortcomings of other induction-style EM pumps. MMPs produce a traveling magnetic field that induces electrical currents within electrically-conductive liquid metals.

How do moving magnet pumps work?

Moving magnet pumps (MMP’s) work by having liquid metal flows in the direction of magnet rotation. (Disc-style MMP’s typically have two discs, one on either side of the duct. For this image, the second disc was omitted for clarity.) MMP’s are powerful and useful tools with immediate industrial applications.

When were the first EM pumps created?

To take advantage of promising liquid-metal technologies, many different types of electromagnetic (EM) pumps have been created since the 1940’s. High-temperature, liquid metals can be used in a variety of ways to enhance both energy production and energy storage, as highlighted by Table 1.

What is the difference between MMP & other electromagnetic pumps?

Moving magnet pumps (MMPs) generate a travelling magnetic field with a spinning array of permanent magnets instead of polyphase field coils. This difference allows MMPs to be made much more quickly, reliably, and inexpensively than other types of electromagnetic pumps.

Can computer simulations improve next-generation EM pumps?

It is believed that more accurate computer simulations will enable the development of improved next-generation electromagnetic (EM) pumps. Analyzing the impact of secondary magnetic fields caused by the induced electrical currents within the liquid metal. For this paper, these effects were found to be very small and were therefore neglected.

How are MMPs made more quickly than other pumps?

MMP’s generate a travelling magnetic field with a spinning array of permanent magnets instead of polyphase field coils. This difference allows MMP’s to be made much more quickly than other types of electromagnetic pumps.