High magnetic field impact on the natural convection behaviour of a magnetic fluid

Abstract

An experimental analysis of high magnetic field impact on the natural convection of a paramagnetic fluid was conducted. Two geometries of experimental enclosures were investigated: Enclosure no. 1 with an aspect ratio of 0.5 (AR aspect ratio = height/width) and Enclosure no. 2 with a higher aspect ratio equal to 2.0. Various magnetic field inductions were analysed and representative parts of the obtained results are shown in the present paper. Estimations of the Nusselt number and spectral analysis of the fluid’s behaviour were performed. The obtained results led to the conclusion that magnetic field has an immense impact on paramagnetic fluid flow, on heat transferred by the flow, as well as the flow structure. Introducing an additional buoyancy force to the system, acting toward intensification of the fluid motion, causes significant enhancement of the Nusselt number in both geometries. Additionally, a spectral analysis of temperature changes indicates that large flow structures occurring in natural convection cases at low frequencies, under the influence of magnetic field, transform towards smaller structures in the whole frequency band.