Analysis of temperature-sensitive magnetic fluids in a porous square cavity depending on different porosity and Darcy number

Abstract

Magnetic fluids are thermo-sensitive and whose flow and energy transport processes can be controlled by temperature and external magnetic field. In the natural convection of porous cavity, magnetic force is not only the driving force, the effective gravity is also a force related to the natural convection, and the effective gravity is closely depending on the porosity and permeability of porous medium. As is known, the porous medium is in solid state with high heat capacity but low heat transfer coefficient, while the magnetic fluid is a kind of fluid with high heat transfer coefficient and easy to be controlled. Combining the complementary characteristic of magnetic fluids and porous medium, we present a study for temperature-sensitive magnetic fluids in a porous square cavity. In the study, a Lattice Boltzmann method is developed to simulate the laminar convection of temperature-sensitive magnetic fluids in a porous square cavity. We present numerical results for the streamlines, isotherms, magnetization for different values of porosity and Darcy number. In addition, Nusselt numbers on heated and cooled wall and the average Nusselt numbers are also investigated.