The Effects of Magnetization Saturation on Thermomagnetic Convection in a Locally Heated Square Enclosure

Abstract

Steady-state simulation study of thermomagnetic convection is presented for a square cavity with localized heat-sources. The external magnetic field conforms to Maxwell's equations. Effects of magnetization saturation of the ferrofluid medium on heat transfer enhancement are studied by invoking Langevin's law. Thermal interactions between the heaters and the fluid at convection-dominated regimes are visualized through streamline, heatline, and isotherm plots. The variation of Nu_avg,heater is depicted for increasing dipole strength of the magnetic field sources. Fluid-magnetization contours explain the layout of the Kelvin force-field. The positions of the magnets for maximum value of Nu_avg,heater are determined. For the same heat generation rate, effects of enclosure dimensions on heat transfer augmentation are studied.

Acknowledgments

This work was partially supported by the Centre for Nano Science and Technology, Jadavpur University under the UGC Scheme of University with Potential for Excellence. We acknowledge the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Government of India for financial support provided to the first author.