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Bubble Transfer by Magnetic Force

N. I. Wakayama
[J. Jpn. Soc. Microgravity Appl., Vol. 13, p. 113, 1996]

Fluid devices for space experiments require an effective degasser to remove gas from gas-liquid two-phase flow. A method of using magnetic buoyancy force to remove bubbles from liquid has been studied. Magnetic buoyancy force (1cm3) is shown by F=(1/2) (chiG-chiL) grad H2. chiG, chiL are the magnetic susceptibilities of gas and liquid (1cm3), respectively. SincebchiLbābchiGband most liquids are diamagnetic, magnetic buoyancy force is considered to work toward a stronger magnetic field. In the experiment using a compact permanent magnet, N2 bubbles in pure water were found to move toward a stronger magnetic field in normal gravity. The present study suggests the possibility of an effective degasser in fluidic devices for space experiments.

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