Experimental Optimization of Alternating Magnetic Field Parameters for Convective Heat Transfer Enhancement of Ferrofluid in a Vertical Annulus

Abstract

This study presents a detailed experimental investigation of how applying constant and alternating magnetic fields enhances the convective heat transfer of Fe3O4/water ferrofluid flowing through a vertical annulus. The setup was exposed to both constant (steady) and alternating magnetic fields with different waveforms (square, triangular, and sinusoidal), frequencies, intensities, and axial positions. Results showed that both steady and alternating fields substantially increased heat transfer within the active region, with the alternating field providing the highest enhancement. This improvement comes from stronger fluid movement under the oscillating field, which disrupts the thermal boundary layer more efficiently than the steady field. The maximum local heat transfer enhancement decreased from 54.98 % at Re = 200 to 29.43 % at Re = 1000, highlighting the reduced influence of magnetic forces at higher flow rates. The study also explored the influence of magnetic field initiation location, revealing that downstream activation yields higher peak local enhancement, while earlier activation ensures more uniform improvement along the annulus. Among the tested waveforms, the square wave resulted in the greatest convective enhancement, followed by triangular and sinusoidal forms. Results also revealed that, regardless of waveform, increasing frequency initially enhances the heat transfer coefficient, reaching an optimal value typically at 2-5 Hz depending on Reynolds number and waveform.