Experimental studies of the flow of ferrofluid in Porous media

This paper presents laboratory-scale experimental results of the behavior of ferrofluids in porous media consisting of sands and sediments. Ferrofluids are colloidal suspensions of magnetic particles stabilized in various carrier liquids. In the presence of an external magnetic field, a ferrofluid b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Transport in porous media 2000-10, Vol.41 (1), p.61-80
Main Authors: BORGLIN, S. E, MORIDIS, G. J, OLDENBURG, C. M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Configurations
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Ferrofluids
Field strength
Geophysics: general, magnetic, electric and thermic methods and properties
Internal geophysics
Laboratories
Magnetic fields
Porous media
Sand
Sediments
Vertical forces
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Summary:This paper presents laboratory-scale experimental results of the behavior of ferrofluids in porous media consisting of sands and sediments. Ferrofluids are colloidal suspensions of magnetic particles stabilized in various carrier liquids. In the presence of an external magnetic field, a ferrofluid becomes magnetized as the particles align with the magnetic field. We investigate the potential for controlling fluid emplacement in porous media using magnetic fields. These experiments show that in laboratory-scale porous media experiments (up to 0.25 m), with both vertical gravitational forces and lateral magnetic forces acting simultaneously, the magnetic field produces strong attractive forces on the ferrofluid, particularly in the vicinity of the magnet. These holding forces result in a predictable configuration of the fluid in the porous medium which is dependent on the magnetic field and independent of flow pathway or heterogeneity of the porous medium. No significant retention effects due to flow through variably saturated sands are observed. While the proposed field engineering applications of ferrofluids are promising, the observations to date are particularly relevant at the laboratory scale where the decrease in magnetic field strength with distance from a magnet is less of a limitation than in larger scale applications. Ferrofluids may find immediate application in any situation where it is desirable to control the motion or final configuration of fluid in an experimental flow apparatus without direct physical contact.
ISSN:0169-3913
1573-1634
DOI:10.1023/A:1006676931721