Comparison of the experimental and numerical analyses of silver nanofluid under influence of strong magnetic field

Abstract

Purpose Nanofluids’ properties made them interesting for various areas like engineering, medicine or cosmetology. Discussed here, research pertains to specific problem of heat transfer enhancement with application of the magnetic field. The main idea was to transfer high heat rates with utilization of nanofluids including metallic non-ferrous particles. The expectation was based on changed nanofluid properties. However, the results of experimental analysis did not meet it. The heat transfer effect was smaller than in the case of base fluid. The only way to understand the process was to involve the computational fluid dynamics, which could help to clarify this issue. The purpose of this research is deep understanding of the external magnetic field effect on the nanofluids heat transfer. Design/methodology/approach In presented experimental and numerical studies, the water and silver nanofluids were considered. From the numerical point of view, three approaches to model the nanofluid in the strong magnetic field were used: single-phase Euler, Euler–Euler and Euler–Lagrange. In two-phase approach, the momentum transfer equations for individual phases were coupled through the interphase momentum transfer term expressing the volume force exerted by one phase on the second one. Findings Therefore, the results of numerical simulation predicted decrease of convection heat transfer for nanofluid with respect to pure water, which agreed with the experimental results. The experimental and numerical results are in good agreement with each other, which confirms the right choice of two-phase approach in analysis of nanofluid thermo-magnetic convection. Originality/value The Euler–Lagrange exhibit the best matching with the experimental results.