Dual solutions and stability analysis of flow and heat transfer of Casson fluid over a stretching sheet

Abstract

The aim of the current study is to find out the dual solutions of the two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow of Casson fluid and heat transfer over the stretching sheet. The focus of the study is to examine the linear thermal radiation effects on dual solutions for both the steady and unsteady flow of Casson fluid over the stretching sheet under the influence of uniform magnetic field. The governing equations are formed as system of partial differential equations (PDEs). Using suitable transformations, the system of PDEs are converted into favorable nonlinear system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Simulations are performed in Maple 2015 to form the dual solutions in order to achieve the velocity, temperature, skin friction and heat transfer profiles of the Casson fluid over the stretching sheet. It is concluded that the dual solutions for the corresponding model are numerically stable. Furthermore, the upper branch solutions of the Casson fluid profiles are numerically stable as compared to the lower branch solutions. Results indicate that positive Eigen values of the MHD flow of Casson fluid provide stable profiles as compared to the negative Eigen values. It is believed that the current study would provide a base for the dual solution of the other types of the non-Newtonian fluid flows over various categories of surfaces.