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Abstract:
In this work we present the numerical study of the deformation and the coalescence
of two ferrofluid droplets in a uniform applied magnetic field. Employing the boundary element
method (BEM), we numerically solve the Darcy equation in a flat microfluidic channel by applying
the magnetic normal stress as a boundary condition at the interfaces of droplets. The occurrence
of different numerical regimes is summarized in the two phase diagrams scanned by the distance
between two droplets, magnetic capillary number, and magnetic permeability. We also show the
existence of the critical separation of two droplets where the coalescence of the droplets is inhibited.
This critical value is independent of the applied-magnetic-field intensity, although it depends on
the permeability ratio of droplet and continuous phase.
