Computational study of double diffusive MHD natural convection flow of non-Newtonian fluid between concentric cylinders

Abstract

This study investigated double diffusion natural convection of Casson fluids in an asymmetrical cavity under a constant magnetic field. The intricacies of flow and heat/mass transfer were explored computationally using the finite element method. With applications in fields such as geology, oceanography, metallurgy, and astrophysics, it investigates the impact of key parameters like the Rayleigh number, Casson parameter, buoyancy ratio, Hartmann number, and Darcy number on entropy generation, fluid velocity, and temperature/concentration gradients. The findings illustrate that increasing the Rayleigh number enhances convection and entropy, while a higher Casson parameter leads to reduced mixing due to the fluid's more solid-like behavior. Enhancing the buoyancy ratio improves heat and mass transfer, and a greater Darcy number boosts convection efficiency. Additionally, a higher Hartmann number reduces fluid friction but increases mass diffusion and magnetic disorder, subtly improving thermodynamic efficiency. This research offers valuable insights for optimizing heat transfer and energy efficiency in high-temperature industrial processes, contributing to advancements in sustainability and energy utilization.

Keywords

• Natural convection
• Porous media
• Entropy generation
• Nusselt number
• Concentric cylinders
• Finite element method