Eur. Phys. J. B 20, 141-149 (2001)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s100510170292

Lattice Boltzmann model for magnetic fluid interfaces

¹ Laboratory for Numerical Simulation and Parallel Computing in Fluid Mechanics, Centre for Fundamental and Advanced Technical Research, Romanian Academy, Bd. Mihai Viteazul 24, 1900 Timişoara, Romania
² Department of Mechanical and Chemical Engineering, James Nasmyth Building, Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, Scotland, UK
³ Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre, James Clerk Maxwell Building, The University of Edinburgh, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JZ, Scotland, UK

Corresponding author: ^a w.g.fruh@hw.ac.uk

Received: 21 August 2000
Revised: 19 January 2001
Published online: 15 March 2001

Abstract

A Lattice Boltzmann model is developed to account for the competition between surface tension and dipolar interaction in magnetic fluids. The description of the interactions was kept as simple as possible to identify and isolate the nature of the essential interactions in the examined situations. The model is used thereafter in order to simulate the deformation of a magnetic fluid drop under the action of an external magnetic field, as well as the onset of the normal field instability in magnetic fluids. The success of the model, and easily identified deviations, demonstrate that the model is a powerful and versatile tool for the study of magnetic and nonmagnetic fluid systems with interfaces.