A review of magnetic field influence on natural convection heat transfer performance of nanofluids in square cavities

Abstract

The emergence of nanofluids as high-performance thermal transport media has drawn great research attention in the field of heat transfer. Owning to the huge importance of natural convection applications in environmental, agricultural, manufacturing, electronics, aviation, power plants, and industrial processes, heat transfer and flow characteristics of these special fluids in various cavities have been extensively researched. This review paper has paid serious attention to the benefits of controlling the natural convection heat transfer and flow performance of nanofluids in square cavities using magnetic field sources in addition to the aspect ratio, porous media, cavity and magnetic field inclination, hybrid nanofluids, etc. The influence of several variables such as heat distribution methods, thermal and concentration boundary conditions, governing parameters, magnetic field types, numerical schemes, thermophysical correlation types, nanofluid types, slip conditions, Brownian motion, and thermophoresis on the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) natural convection behaviours of nanofluids in square cavities has been reviewed. The paper focused on the application of numerical and experimental methods to hydromagnetic behaviours of nanofluids in square-shaped enclosures. The concept of bioconvection, bio-nanofluid (green nanofluid), ionic nanofluid, and hybrid nanofluid has also been reviewed in relation to natural convection for the first time. Special cases of MHD natural convection in cavities involving micropolar and hybrid nanofluids are also presented herein. Convective heat transfer in square cavities has been demonstrated to be altered due to the presence of magnetic fields.