Unified electro-magneto-fluid dynamics (EMFD): Introductory concepts

Recent advances in numerical techniques and computing technology, as well as new, fully rigorous theoretical treatments, have made analysis of combined electro-magneto-fluid dynamic (EMFD) flows well within reach. A survey of electro-magnetics and the theory describing combined electro-magneto-hydrodynamic flows is presented. In Part 1 emphasis is placed on describing the sources and interactions of electric and magnetic fields described by Maxwell's equations. The natural and induced sources of material polarization and magnetization are described as well as the sources and transport of electric charge in the fluid. The paper concludes with a presentation of the unified EMFD system of equations, combining Maxwell's equations, the Navier-Stokes equations and material constitutive relations. Part 2 of this paper [Int. J. Non-Linear Mechanics 32, 923-932 (1997)] will focus on a comparison of existing separate electro-hydrodynamic (EHD) and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models with the unified EMFD model. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.