Magnetically-driven heat transport device using a binary temperature-sensitive magnetic fluid

The magnetic body force in boiling two-phase temperature-sensitive magnetic fluid (TSMF) flow is known to effectively increase the driving force of magnetic fluid in a non-uniform magnetic field. Based on this mechanism, in the present study, a binary TSMF, which is a mixture of the TSMF and a low-boiling-saturation-temperature organic solution, is proposed to be used in a heat transport device to enhance its circulation. In order to see its performance in the heat transport device, the pressure difference at different heated temperatures, magnetic fields and inclination angles of the heating section are investigated experimentally and theoretically. Results showed that the driving force increases remarkably due to more gas phase appearing in the test fluid and the magnetization of it decreasing. At low magnetic field the driving force is enhanced greatly when the inclination angle is close to 60°, while at high magnetic field the driving force is remarkably enhanced due to the effect of the magnetic force in the inclination angle range from 0° to 30° and 60° to 90°.

Research highlights
► For two-phase temperature-sensitive magnetic fluid (TSMF), it is known that the force of driving the flow can be greatly increased by a phase changing such as boiling in a non-uniform magnetic field. Based on this mechanism, in the present study, a binary TSMF, which is a mixture of the TSMF and a low-boiling-saturation-temperature organic solution, is proposed for a heat transport device to enhance its circulation.
► The advantages of the present heat transport device using the binary TSMF are that no feed pump is required, and thus the device can be more compact.
► A fundamental investigation showed that the driving force increases remarkably when the organic solution in the test fluid changed to the gas phase due to the magnetization of the fluid decreasing. In particular, it is found that the driving force is enhanced greatly when the inclination angle of the heating section is close to 60° at low magnetic field and the inclination angle is in the range of 0° to 30° and 60° to 90° at high magnetic field.