An analytical study on entropy generation of nanofluids over a flat plate

Abstract

The steady two-dimensional boundary layer flow of nanofluids over a flat plate is studied analytically to analyze the generated entropy inside the boundary layer at a constant wall temperature. Applying the transformation of the PDE equations of continuity, momentum and energy to ODE ones by similarity variables, a dimensionless equation for entropy generation inside the boundary layer is presented. The most accurate series solution was found by coupling the homotopy-perturbation method (HPM) and the variational iteration method (VIM), which provides an effective technique for solving strongly nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The analytical results indicated that the generated entropy strongly depends on the nanoparticle volume fraction (ϕ), Prandtl, Eckert and Reynolds numbers. Based on the series solution, the effects of ϕ on velocity, temperature and entropy generation were explained in details and the related figures are plotted.