Unsteady nanofluid flow over a cone featuring mixed convection and variable viscosity

Area of Science:

• Fluid Dynamics
• Heat Transfer
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Understanding fluid flow with complex phenomena like MHD and mixed convection is crucial for engineering applications.
• Nanofluids offer enhanced thermal properties, making their flow behavior a significant research area.
• Convective heat and mass transfer over curved surfaces are relevant in various industrial processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the unsteady flow of nanofluid over a cone incorporating magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) and mixed convection.
• To analyze the influence of variable viscosity and viscous dissipation on the flow characteristics.
• To determine the effects of key parameters on skin friction and heat/mass flux.

Main Methods:

• The Homotopy Analysis Method (HAM) was employed to solve the governing partial differential equations.
• Numerical computations were performed to analyze the impact of various parameters.
• Graphical and tabular representations were used to illustrate the results.

Main Results:

• Increased buoyancy force parameter leads to higher surface drag in both x and y directions.
• Variable viscosity parameter causes a reduction in tangential and azimuthal velocities.
• Fluid temperature decreases with the unsteady parameter but rises with the Eckert number.

Conclusions:

• The study provides insights into the complex interplay of MHD, mixed convection, and variable properties in unsteady nanofluid flow.
• Results highlight the sensitivity of flow behavior and heat transfer to parameters like buoyancy and viscosity.
• The findings are valuable for optimizing designs in heat exchangers and other thermal systems involving nanofluids.