Visual observation of the effect of magnetic field on moving air and vaporbubbles in a magnetic fluid

Theoretical prediction suggests that magnetic fluid (MF) as working liquid in heat pipe could enhance and control the heat transfer under the applicat ion of magnetic field. However, heat pipe experiments using ionic MF showed only marginal gain and demands investigation. As an initial step, visualiz ation of air and vapor bubbles behavior under zero and applied magnetic fie ld has been carried out using X-ray. The observations can be summarized as follows; applied magnetic field (a) reduces the size and deforms the shape of the bubble that secede from the heating surface or air supply tube, and (b) accelerates the movement of the bubble in the liquid. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.