Swirl development and enhanced heat transfer analysis of ferrofluid in elliptical ducts under thermal-magnetic-flow fields coupling

Abstract

It is a new practical method to apply external magnetic field in magnetic working fluid to enhance heat transfer. In this paper, the swirl flow and heat transfer characteristics of ferrofluid in elliptical tubes under thermal-magnetic-flow fields coupling have been studied by using the finite volume method. The flow structure and secondary vortices evolution process of magnetic nanofluid in elliptical ducts under the action of the magnetic fields have been obtained. The effects of magnetic induction intensity and the ratio of major axis to minor axis of elliptical pipe on the flow and heat transfer performances have been main investigated. The results show that there is obvious secondary flow (with four vortices or eight vortices) on the cross section and the swirling flow is gradually formed due to the coupling of thermal-magnetic-velocity fields. With the increase of the ratio of major axis to minor axis, the heat transfer enhancement effect with the application of external magnetic field is weakened. The comprehensive performance of flow and heat transfer are better at lower Reynolds number and higher magnetic induction intensity.