Magnetic field effects on Newtonian and non-Newtonian ferrofluid flow past a circular cylinder

The changes in the flow properties under the action of electromagnetic body forces are investigated numerically for ferrofluid flow past a circular cylinder. Ferrofluid is modeled as both a Newtonian and a non-Newtonian Power-Law fluid. Magnetic forces are applied by placing magnets at different locations on the surface of the cylinder. The magnetostatic effects on the structure of the wake region, on drag reduction and on vortex formation length and frequency are shown and compared in terms of Reynolds number, interaction parameter, Power-Law index and magnet location. It is shown that the increase in the interaction parameter reduces drag for both Newtonian and non-Newtonian model. This decrease is observed to be higher for shear thinning and lower for shear thickening fluid compared to Newtonian case. It is also shown that vortex street formation in the wake region behind the cylinder may be delayed under high magnetic effects. The Strouhal number is higher for shear thinning case at both low and high Reynolds numbers, and lower for shear thickening case at high Reynolds numbers, compared to Newtonian fluid. The vortex formation frequency also decreases under the action of the magnetic field in all cases, however the vortex formation length increases. Placing the magnet towards the front region of the cylinder increases considerably the drag coefficient for both Newtonian and non-Newtonian model. This increase in drag coefficient is higher in the shear thinning fluid and lower in the shear thickening fluid compared to the Newtonian case. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.