Modes of ferrodroplet breakup in a narrow passage

Abstract

Paper presented at the 5th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, South Africa, 1-4 July, 2007.

The motion of a magnetic drop through a narrow passage under an applied magnetic field is investigated experimentally. The influences of two control parameters: the strength of applied magnetic field and the width of passage, are investigated. Many interesting phenomena in the processes of the motions are observed, such as drop deformation, necking down, pinch-off, separation, and the formation of a satellite drop. From the results, different motions of a drop through the passage are categorized into four modes which strongly depend on the control parameters. Moreover, effects of the control parameter on the time of a magnetic drop passing through a narrow passage are evaluated as well. The weaker strength of applied magnetic field and a smaller diameter of the passage result in the difficulty to pass through the passage and longer time to complete the whole process.