A nonlinear stability analysis of a rotating double-diffusive magnetized ferrofluid

Abstract

A nonlinear stability result for a double-diffusive magnetized ferrofluid layer rotating about a vertical axis for stress-free boundaries is derived via generalized energy method. The mathematical emphasis is on how to control the nonlinear terms caused by magnetic body and inertia forces. The result is compared with the result obtained by linear instability theory. The critical magnetic thermal Rayleigh number given by energy theory is slightly less than those given by linear theory and thus indicates the existence of subcritical instability for ferrofluids. For non-ferrofluids, it is observed that the nonlinear critical stability thermal Rayleigh number coincides with that of linear critical stability thermal Rayleigh number. For lower values of magnetic parameters, this coincidence is immediately lost. The effect of magnetic parameter, M3, solute gradient, S1, and Taylor number, TA1, on subcritical instability region have been analyzed. We also demonstrate coupling between the buoyancy and magnetic forces in the nonlinear stability analysis.