Magnetic fluids or ferrofluids are colloidal dispersions of magnetic nanoparticles in a liquid carrier. These nanoparticles have a specific size range in order to remain suspended in the liquid, about 3 to 15 nm. In this range Brownian motion (thermal molecular motion in the liquid) keeps the particles from settling out. Because magnetic particles tend to aggregate, and aggregates sediment faster than single particles, the particles are coated with a stabilizing dispersing agent. The surfactant must be matched to the carrier type and must overcome the attractive Van der Waals and magnetic forces between the particles to prevent agglomeration even when a strong magnetic field is applied to the ferrofluid. A device that can pump a fluid with no moving mechanical parts represents a very encouraging alternative since such device would be practically maintenance free. A magnetocaloric pump achieves this purpose by providing a pressure gradient to a ferrofluid placed inside a magnetic field while experiencing a temperature change. If the temperature change is produced by extracting heat out of an element that needs refrigeration, coupling this heat via a heat pipe with the magnetocaloric pump will result in a completely passive cooling system. For applications near ambient temperature the ferrofluid must have specific characteristics such as low Curie temperature, high pyromagnetic coefficient, high thermal conductivity and low viscosity. This work presents the detailed description of the synthesis of ferrofluids composed of Mn-Zn ferrite nanoparticles and the characterization of its magnetic and thermal properties. Different composition of Mn-Zn ferrites nanoparticles were produce and evaluated. This ferrite ferrofluid was compared with commercially available magnetite ferrofluid in a magnetocaloric pump prototype. Results of saturation magnetization, pyromagnetic coefficient, Curie temperature, particle size, viscosity and pressure increment inside the magnetocaloric pump are presented.

Volume Subject Area:
Fluids Engineering
Topics:
Ferrites (Magnetic materials), Ferrofluids, Pumps, Temperature, Nanoparticles, Particulate matter, Magnetic fields, Heat, Viscosity, Agglomeration (Materials), Brownian motion, Cooling systems, Disperse systems, Engineering prototypes, Fluids, Heat pipes, Magnetic fluids, Magnetic particles, Magnetite, Magnetization, Maintenance, Particle size, Pressure, Pressure gradient, Refrigeration, Sediments, Surfactants, Thermal conductivity, Thermal properties
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