Open Access

ARTICLE

Characterization of Bubble Dynamics in Nanofluid Flow under External Magnetic Field: Experimental and Numerical Approach

Hasanain A. Abdul Wahhab^1,*, Hamid Abdallah Dhaher², Miqdam T. Chaichan^3,4, Saif Ali Kadhim⁵, Hayder Mohsin Ali⁵, Muataz S. Alhassan⁶, Mohammed Fathi Muzahem³

1 Training and Workshop Center, University of Technology-Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq
2 The Manufacture of Cylinder Department, State Company for Gas Filling and Services, Ministry of Oil, Al Kut, Iraq
3 Energy and Renewable Energies Technology Center, University of Technology-Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq
4 Faculty of Engineering, Sohar University, Sohar, Oman
5 Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Technology-Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq
6 College of Engineering, Al-Ayen Iraqi University, Nasiriyah, Iraq

* Corresponding Author: Hasanain A. Abdul Wahhab. Email:

Energy Engineering 2026, 123(9), 18 https://doi.org/10.32604/ee.2026.083821

Received 11 April 2026; Accepted 10 June 2026; Issue published 06 August 2026

Abstract

The magnetohydrodynamics of bubbly nanofluid flow in a horizontal pipe was studied. The drag-reduction effect of the behavior of a magnetohydrodynamic nanofluid in bubbly flow was experimentally verified by generating bubbles in the flow. The study examined the effects of the magnetic field on bubble formation by observing bubble characteristics, including shape, size, and trajectory. The experimental analysis adopted an optical system using a high-speed video camera. A MATLAB code was developed to track bubble formation in bubbly flow. The magnetic field affects the continuous nanofluid phase and, in turn, influences the gas phase and bubble features, such as bubble growth, shape, size, trajectory, and formation velocity. The results showed that under a magnetic field up to 4000 gauss and a nanofluid superficial velocity of 17.78 cm/s, the magnetic force had the greatest effect due to the increased electrical conductivity of the nanofluid. Also, in a magnetic field, bubble formation is delayed, leading to increased collisions and bubble merging. The magnetic field makes the bubble turbulent and unstable, especially after it separates from the nozzle tip, as evidenced by changes in its shape and trajectory. The shape factor of bubbles decreases as the magnetic field intensity increases. This effect is confirmed by the elongation of bubbles within the nanofluid flow.

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Keywords

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