Alexandria Engineering Journal (Feb 2023)
Radiative effects on unsteady MHD natural convection flow in an inclined wavy porous cavity using hybrid nanofluid containing a square obstacle
Abstract
The introduction of hybrid nanofluids is a significant notion in several engineering and industrial applications. It is utilized prominently in diverse engineering applications, such as low-pressure drop, wider absorption range, generator cooling, good thermal conductivity, nuclear system cooling, heat exchangers. The present model describes the unsteady MHD free convection flow in an inclined wavy permeable enclosure using hybrid nanofluid (Aluminum oxide/Copper-water) containing a square obstacle with the effects of radiation and heat generation/ absorption. The flow is buoyancy-driven and is subjected to heat radiation (Rd) and an angled magnetic field that is constant (B0). The left wall of the cavity is partially heated and cooled by the wavy-right wall, while the remaining sides are adiabatic and contain a square solid block. A numerical Finite difference technique is utilized to resolve the governing PDEs formulated in stream function, temperature and nanoparticle volume fraction. The acquired results are validated with previous numerical studies. The parameters number in this study are discussed as the inclination angle 0°⩽α⩽π/2, Dimensionless heat source length (0.2 ≤ B ≤ 0.8), porosity of the porous medium 0.1⩽ε⩽0.9 dimensionless location of the left heater (0.3 ≤ D ≤ 0.7), Heat generation -2⩽Q⩽2, nanoparticles volume fraction (0.01 ≤ φ ≤ 0.02), thermal radiation 0⩽Rd⩽10 and the Hartmann number (0 ≤ Ha ≤ 100). The results show that improving the porosity raises the average Nusselt number; however, the rate of increase is greater at higher heat flux locations. The average Nusselt number grows when the nanoparticle volume fraction raises in Rd. The distribution of isothermal lines is slightly reduced for the higher value of the Hartman number. Natural convective hybrid nanofluid flow in a wavy porous square cavity combined with heat source/sink has a vital role in various engineering and industrial processes such as solar collector electric machinery, creation of constructing shelters and attics.