Effect of magnetic field on laminar convective heat transfer of magnetite nanofluids

Abstract The effect of an external magnetic field on the convective heat transfer and pressure drop of magnetite nanofluids under laminar flow regime conditions ( Re Re  = 745 and magnetic field gradient of 32.5 mT/mm. The effect of the magnetic field on the pressure drop is not as significant. The pressure drop increases only by up to 7.5% when magnetic field intensity of 430 mT and gradients between 8.6 and 32.5 mT/mm are applied. Based on the simulation results of magnetic field and magnetic force distribution, the mechanisms for heat transfer enhancement are postulated to be accumulation of particles near the magnets (leading to higher thermal conductivity locally), and formation of aggregates acting enhancing momentum and energy transfer in the flow.