Magnetogasdynamic Flow and Heat Transfer in a Microchannel

The presence of current flow in an electric and magnetic field results in electromagnetic force and joule heating. It is desirable to understand the roles of electromagnetic force and joule heating on gas microflow and heat transfer. In this study, a mathematical model is developed of the pressure-driven gas flow through a long isothermally heated horizontal planar microchannel in the presence of an external electric and magnetic field. The solutions for flow and thermal field and characteristics are derived analytically and presented in terms of dimensionless parameters. It is found that an electromagnetic driving force can be produced by a combined non-zero electric field and a negative magnetic field and results in an additional velocity slip and an additional flow drag. Also, a joule heating can be enhanced by an applied positive magnetic field and therefore results in an additional temperature jump and an additional heat transfer.