Dual solutions in mixed convection boundary layer flow of micropolar fluids

Abstract

The steady mixed convection boundary layer flow over a vertical surface immersed in an incompressible micropolar fluid is considered in this paper. Employing suitable similarity transformations, the governing partial differential equations are transformed into ordinary differential equations, and the transformed equations are solved numerically by the Keller-box method. Numerical results are obtained for the skin friction coefficient and the local Nusselt number as well as the velocity, angular velocity and temperature profiles. Both cases of assisting and opposing buoyant flows are considered. It is found that dual solutions exist for the assisting flow, besides that usually reported in the literature for the opposing flow. Moreover, in contrast to the classical boundary layer theory, the separation point of the boundary layer is found to be distinct from the point of vanishing skin friction.