Magnetic Field Enhanced Thermal Conductivity Analysis of Magnetic Nanofluids
Abstract
The magnetic properties of four water-based nanofluids consisting of Al2O3, CuO, Fe3O4, and SiO2 were exploited to analyze the effect of the application of an external magnetic field on the thermal conductivity of the nanofluid. When the magnetic field is applied, the magnetic dipole moments of the particles align and the particles come in contact with each other and form chains in the direction of the applied magnetic field. When parallel to the direction of heat flow, the magnetic field causes the effective thermal conductivity in the direction of the magnetic field to increase. A higher thermally conductive fluid can be applied to solve numerous heat transfer problems.