On the mathematical model of Eyring–Powell nanofluid flow with non-linear radiation, variable thermal conductivity and viscosity

Abstract

It is well known that the significance of dynamic viscosity and thermal conductivity cannot be overemphasized in the movement of any fluid. In the present investigation, the impact of variable viscosity, variable thermal conductivity, Brownian motion, thermophoresis, heat and chemical reaction effects on an unsteady Eyring–Powell nanofluid flow in a stretching sheet is extensively discussed. The governing non-linear coupled partial differential equations describing the problem were derived. Similarity variables were used to transform the governing partial differential equations into ordinary differential equations. After which the Spectral quasi-linearization method (SQLM) was employed to numerically handle the emerging governing differential equations after validating the convergence of the method with existing results in literature. The novel flow features which include fluid velocity, skin friction, heat transfer coefficient and rate of mass transfer were discussed therein as a function of sundry parameters entering flow formation. Findings reveal that the Brownian motion and thermophoresis parameters increase the temperature profile. Also, fluid concentration was found to be a decreasing and increasing function of Brownian motion parameter and thermophoresis parameter respectively. For accuracy check, tabular representations are carried out with published work in the literature; excellent agreement were found.

Keywords

• Nanofluid
• Eyring–Powell
• Stretching sheet
• Brownian motion
• Thermophoresis effect