A nonlinear stability analysis for magnetized ferrofluid heated from below

Abstract

A nonlinear (energy) stability analysis is performed for a magnetized ferrofluid layer heated from below, in the stress-free boundary case. By introducing a suitable generalized energy functional, a rigorous nonlinear stability result is derived for a thermoconvective magnetized ferrofluid. The mathematical emphasis is on how to control the nonlinear terms caused by the magnetic body and inertia forces. It is found that the nonlinear critical stability magnetic thermal Rayleigh number does not coincide with that of the linear instability analysis, and thus indicates that the subcritical instabilities are possible. However, it is noted that, in the case of non-ferrofluid, global nonlinear stability Rayleigh number is exactly the same as that for linear instability. For lower values of magnetic parameters, this coincidence is immediately lost. The effect of magnetic parameter, M 3 , on subcritical instability region has also been analysed. It is shown that with the increase of magnetic parameter, M 3 , the subcritical instability region between the two theories decreases quickly. We also demonstrate coupling between the buoyancy and the magnetic forces in the nonlinear energy stability analysis.