EFFECTS OF THE DIPOLE POSITION ON THERMOMAGNETIC CONVECTION IN A LOCALLY HEATED SHALLOW ENCLOSURE: THERMODYNAMIC AND TRANSPORT ANALYSIS

Steady-state thermomagnetic convection in a shallow cavity under zero-gravity conditions is numerically investigated for different positions of the field-source. Two symmetrically placed, discrete, flush-mounted heaters of identical strengths represent power-dissipaters in electronics/MEMS applications. The sidewalls are isothermal heat sinks. Correlations between the field-source position and the flow morphology have been established. The distribution patterns of maximum heater temperatures and pertinent heat transfer parameters are explained. The local entropy generation due to heat transfer and fluid friction irreversibilities are determined. The total entropy generation is found to be almost entirely dependent on heat transfer irreversibility. The dipole position that minimizes the total entropy generation also produces the lowest average temperature on the heaters.