Abstract
In this study, forced convection of Fe 3 O 4 –water nanofluid in a bifurcating channel was numerically studied under the influence of variable magnetic. Galerkin residual finite element method was used for numerical simulations. Effects of various values of Reynolds number (between 100 and 500), Hartmann number (between 0 and 3), and solid nanoparticle volume fraction (between 0% and 4%) on the convective heat transfer characteristics were analyzed. It was observed that location and size of the re-circulation zones established in the walls of the bifurcating channel strongly influenced by the variable magnetic field and Reynolds number. Average Nusselt number versus Hartmann number showed different characteristics for hot walls of the vertical and horizontal branching channels. The average Nusselt number enhancements were in the range of 12–15% and 9–12% for hot walls of the branching channel in the absence and presence of magnetic field (at Hartmann number of 3).
Highlights
Effects of magnetic field are encountered in some engineering applications such as in geothermal energy extraction, nuclear reactor coolers, and metal casting
This study focused on the convective heat transfer characteristics of Fe3 O4 –water nanofluid in a T-junction with a variable magnetic field where flow separation and reattachment exist
In this study, forced convection of Fe3 O4 –water nanofluid flow in a branching T-channel was numerically examined with variable magnetic field effects
Summary
Effects of magnetic field are encountered in some engineering applications such as in geothermal energy extraction, nuclear reactor coolers, and metal casting. An experimental study of pulsating fluid flow in laminar conditions through a 90-degree bifurcation was performed by Khodadadi et al [19] They observed that the Reynolds number, dividing mass flow rate of the branching channels and Stokes number have influence on the formation and size of the re-circulation regions. This study focused on the convective heat transfer characteristics of Fe3 O4 –water nanofluid in a T-junction with a variable magnetic field where flow separation and reattachment exist In this configuration, the magnetic field has the potential to reduce the separated flow region, the effect of electrical conductivity enhancement with nanoparticle inclusion to the base fluid is favorable, and the increment in the heat transfer rate might be obtained. The numerical results of this study can be utilized in the thermal design and optimization of fluid flow with separation and will be helpful in determining the conditions to impose a variable magnetic field and nanoparticles
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