Experimental verification of theoretical investigations
into the behaviour of liquid
metal convective flows is required to validate analytical models and numerical
simulation codes. A real-time radioscopic density visualization system
has been
developed and is beginning to provide useful data. The X-ray facility for
studying
opaque low-Prandtl-number fluid flow is described. Density changes as low
as
10−3 g cm−3
can be visualized by careful control of scatter radiation. The new capability
is demonstrated with natural convection benchmark experiments in a narrow
vertical
layer of gallium melt of aspect ratio A=1.4. The density
field in that cell is three-dimensional. Good agreement between
calculations and experiments is obtained.
Experiments with solidification are provided for further theoretical use.