Homogeneous turbulence in ferrofluids with a steady magnetic field

The general equations necessary for a basic theoretical interpretation of the physics of turbulence in ferrofluids are presented. The equations are examined and show multiple novel turbulence aspects that arise in ferrofluids. For example, two new modes of turbulent kinetic energy and turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate occur, and unique modes of energy conversion (rotational to/from translational kinetic energy and magnetic energy to/from turbulent kinetic energy) are exhibited in turbulent ferrofluid flows. Furthermore, it is shown that potential models for turbulence in ferrofluids are complicated by additional closure requirements from the five additional nonlinear terms in the governing equations. The equations are applied to turbulence of a ferrofluid in the presence of a steady magnetic field (as well as the case of no magnetic field) in order to identify the importance of the new terms. Results are presented for the enhanced anisotropy in the presence of a magnetic field, and results show how turbulence properties (both classical ones and new ones) vary with the strength of the magnetic field. Three different equations for the magnetization are examined and lead to different results at large magnitudes of the applied magnetic field.