Thermodiffusion in nanofluids under different gravity conditions

A convective transport model is developed to study the role of thermal diffusion, or the Ludwig-Soret effect, in nanofluid systems with temperature gradients. The study deals with a fluid suspension of nanoparticles enclosed between two differentially heated horizontal, relatively closely spaced plates (Benard configuration). An order-of-magnitude analysis is performed to identify the relevant parameters of the problem. Three-dimensional simulations are performed taking into account different conditions, including normal or microgravity conditions, gravity orientation, and positive or negative Soret effect. Different modes of convective instabilities are shown to be present in the system, which are associated with the gravity force and the density differences induced by concentration gradients. The characteristic flow patterns and instability developments are in agreement with the experimental findings obtained by independent investigators on colloidal suspensions. The onset of instabilities, their characteristic time scales, and flow patterns corresponding with different geometrical configurations, gravity levels, and gravity orientation are shown. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.