Optimal Homotopy Asymptotic Analysis of the Dynamics of Eyring-Powell Fluid due to Convection Subject to Thermal Stratification and Heat Generation Effect

Abstract

In the present study, the effect of thermal stratification and heat generation in the boundary layer flow of the Eyring-Powell fluid over the stratified extending surface due to convection has been investigated. The governing equations of the flow are transformed from partial differential equations into a couple of nonlinear ordinary differential equations via similarity variables. The optimal homotopy asymptotic method (OHAM) is used to acquire the approximate analytical solution to the problems. Impacts of flow regulatory parameters on temperature, velocity, skin friction coefficient, and Nusselt number are examined. It is discovered that the fluid velocity augments with a greater value of material parameter E, mixed convection parameter λ, and material fluid parameter σ. The result also revealed that with a higher value of the Prandtl number Pr and the stratified parameter ε, the temperature and the velocity profile decreases, but the opposite behavior is observed when the heat generation/absorption parameter γ increases. The results are compared with available literature and are in good harmony. The present study has substantial ramifications in industrial, engineering, and technological applications, for instance, in designing various chemical processing equipment, distribution of temperature and moisture over agricultural fields, groves of fruit trees, environmental pollution, geothermal reservoirs, thermal insulation, enhanced oil recovery, and underground energy transport.