Thermal attributes of hybrid (MWCNT-NiZnFe2O4) nanofluid flow having motile microbes and activation energy: A computational approach

Abstract

Hybrid nanofluids provide better thermal network, mechanical resistance, good aspect ratio and thermal conductivity rather than usual/mono nanofluids. The hybrid nano-composition of multi-wall carbon nanotubes and nickel zinc ferrites possesses superior thermal properties and embellished heat transfer characteristics. The main concern, in this paper, is to examine the novel thermal aspects of water based pure nanofluid (MWCNTs) and hybrid nanofluid (MWCNTs-NiZnFe2O4). The prominent effects of viscous dissipation, motile gyrotactic microorganisms and activation energy have also been taken into account. The other aspect of the study is also to interpret the flow features of hybrid nanofluids subject to Darcy-Forchheimer medium. The characteristics of both hybrid and usual case of nanofluids are covered in this analysis. The governing model problem comprising of coupled and highly non-linear system of equations is treated numerically via a persuasive numerical technique named “Successive over Relaxation” method. A numerical comparison not only validates the code but also found to be in a good correlation with the earlier ones. It can be deduced from the outcomes of the present study that higher levels of Peclet number cause a decrease in the density distribution of motile microorganisms. For the higher values of Forchheimer parameter, lower will be the velocity of fluid and higher will be the shear stress in either, pure or hybrid, case of nanofluids.

Keywords

• Nickel zinc ferrites
• Multi-wall carbon nanotubes
• Darcy-Forchheimer medium
• Activation energy
• Motile microorganisms