Eur. Phys. J. E (2015) 38: 35
https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2015-15035-2

Regular Article

Diffusive and thermodiffusive transfer of magnetic nanoparticles in porous media

Institute of Physics, University of Latvia, Miera 32, LV-2169, Salaspils, Latvia

^* e-mail: viesturs.shints@gmail.com

Received: 15 July 2014
Revised: 4 November 2014
Accepted: 10 March 2015
Published online: 13 May 2015

Abstract

Experimental results on mass transfer within a thin porous layer saturated with ferrofluid are outlined in this paper. From the analysis of particle concentration distribution across the layer it is shown that both the mass diffusion and the Soret coefficients of nanoparticles are remarkably less than those measured in free fluid. The particle transport coefficient changes due to an external uniform magnetic field qualitatively well agree with the predictions of existing theoretical research. The magnetic field that is oriented transversely to the porous layer causes an increase in the diffusion coefficient and a decrease in the Soret coefficient whilst the longitudinal field causes a reduction of the mass diffusion and an intensification of the particle thermodiffusion.