An experimental analysis of high magnetic field impact on the natural convection of a paramagnetic fluid was conducted. Two geometries of experimental enclosures were investigated: Enclosure no. 1 with an aspect ratio of 0.5 (AR aspect ratio = height/width) and Enclosure no. 2 with a higher aspect ratio equal to 2.0. Various magnetic field inductions were analysed and representative parts of the obtained results are shown in the present paper. Estimations of the Nusselt number and spectral analysis of the fluid’s behaviour were performed. The obtained results led to the conclusion that magnetic field has an immense impact on paramagnetic fluid flow, on heat transferred by the flow, as well as the flow structure. Introducing an additional buoyancy force to the system, acting toward intensification of the fluid motion, causes significant enhancement of the Nusselt number in both geometries. Additionally, a spectral analysis of temperature changes indicates that large flow structures occurring in natural convection cases at low frequencies, under the influence of magnetic field, transform towards smaller structures in the whole frequency band.

Experimental analysis of strong magnetic field influence on paramagnetic fluid's convection in rectangular enclosures with aspect ratios (AR=height/width) 0.5 and 2.0 was conducted. For this purpose, enclosure filled with paramagnetic fluid was placed inside superconducting magnet in Rayleigh-Bénard configuration and temperature measurements of the fluid were performed, with and without magnetic field induction. On the basis of performed research, analysis of heat transfer and character of the flow was conducted. Obtained results allowed characterization of fluid behavior and demonstrated that the aspect ratio has an immense influence on quantitative heat transfer in the system.

Transition to turbulence and changes in the fluid flow structure are subjects of continuous analysis and research, especially for unique fields of research such as the thermo-magnetic convection of weakly magnetic fluids. Therefore, an experimental and numerical research of the influence of an external magnetic field on a natural convection’s fluid flow was conducted in the presented research. The experimental part was performed for an enclosure with a 0.5 aspect ratio, which was filled with a paramagnetic fluid and placed in a superconducting magnet in a position granting the enhancement of the flow. The process was recorded as temperature signals from the thermocouples placed in the analyzed fluid. The numerical research enabled an investigation based not only on temperature, but velocities as well. Experimental and numerical data were analyzed with the application of extended fast Fourier transform and wavelet analysis. The obtained results allowed the determination of changes in the nature of the flow and visualization of the influence of an imposed strong magnetic field on a magnetic fluid. It is proved that an applied magnetic field actuates the flow in Rayleigh-Benard convection and causes the change from laminar to turbulent flow for fairly low magnetic field inductions (2T and 3T for ΔT = 5 and 11 °C respectively). Fast Fourier transform allowed the definition of characteristic frequencies for oscillatory states in the flow, as well as an observation that the high values of magnetic field elongate the inertial range of the flow on the power spectrum density. Temperature maps obtained during numerical simulations granted visualizations of thermal plume formation and behavior with increasing magnetic field.

Rectangular enclosure with aspect ratio (AR=height/width) 2 was investigated in experimental thermo-magnetic convection analysis. Experimental enclosure was placed inside superconducting magnet in Rayleigh-Bénard configuration, in position, where magnetic field gradient was enhancing natural convection. Two types of paramagnetic fluid behaviour were identified at different magnetic induction values. It was possible by utilization of Fast Fourier Transform of recorded temperature signals inside experimental enclosure. Presented results shown augmented heat transfer in rectangular enclosure at high magnetic field gradient up to 300%. Transition zone of fluid behaviour for presented experimental setup was observed from Ra_TM4-10⁷ to Ra_TM1.310⁸.

The fluid behaviour in thermo-magnetic convection of paramagnetic fluid in a strong magnetic field was studied. The fluid was 50% volume aqueous solution of glycerol with an addition of gadolinium nitrate hexahydrate (Gd(NO₃)₃-6H₂O). Experimental enclosure - a vessel with aspect ratio (AR=height/width) equal to 1.0 - was heated from the bottom, and cooled from the top. Temperature difference between top and bottom walls was kept constant at ΔT = 5 and 11 [°C]. The magnetic induction was increased stepwise from 1 to 10 [T] and thermocouples placed inside the enclosures measured temperature changes of the fluid. On the basis of temperature measurements, analysis of the fluid flow was performed.