Numerical simulation of variable thermal conductivity on 3D flow of nanofluid over a stretching sheet

Abstract

The present investigation deals with the steady three-dimensional flow and heat transfer of nanofluids due to stretching sheet in the presence of magnetic field and heat source. Three types of water based nanoparticles namely, copper (Cu), aluminium oxide (Al2O3), and titanium dioxide (TiO2) are considered in this study. The temperature dependent variable thermal conductivity and thermal radiation has been introduced in the energy equation. Using suitable similarity transformations the dimensional non-linear expressions are converted into dimensionless system and are then solved numerically by Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg scheme along with well-known shooting technique. The impact of various flow parameters on axial and transverse velocities, temperature, surface frictional coefficients and rate of heat transfer coefficients are visualized both in qualitative and quantitative manners in the vicinity of stretching sheet. The results reviled that the temperature and velocity of the fluid rise with increasing values of variable thermal conductivity parameter. Also, the temperature and normal velocity of the fluid in case of Cu-water nanoparticles is more than that of Al2O3- water nanofluid. On the other hand, the axial velocity of the fluid in case of Al2O3- water nanofluid is more than that of TiO2nanoparticles. In addition, the current outcomes are matched with the previously published consequences and initiate to be a good contract as a limiting sense.

Keywords

• 3d flow
• mhd
• nanofluid
• variable thermal conductivity
• radiation
• heat source