Simulation of Magneto-Rheological Fluids Using Lattice Boltzmann Method

Lattice Boltzmann (LB) simulations of Magneto-rheological fluids under a rotating magnetic field are presented in this paper. The LB method gives a complete solution of Navier-Stokes equation based on the Boltzmann transport equation. A relatively good agreement of normalized number of aggregated particles in experiments and simulations is found. Results pertaining to variation of chain length vs. Mason number are also shown. A complete analysis and comparison of forces on the particles found from LB simulations and from simple Particle dynamics (PD) type approach is also shown. Another aim of this study was to determine under what conditions do we need to solve the complete Navier-Stokes equations and under what conditions a simplistic but very fast simulation method like particle dynamics will work for Magneto-rheological fluids.