Dynamic simulation of unsteady Casson–Carreau fluid flow considering temperature-dependent variable-properties and thermo-solutal mixed convection over flat and slendering sheets

Abstract

The present investigation delves into the intricate interplay between surface effects and fluid dynamics, focusing on the flow characteristics of Casson and Carreau fluids endowed with temperature-dependent thermophysical properties. Specifically, the study explores the ramifications of radiative, mixed convection, and magnetized processes on heat and mass transfer phenomena. A comprehensive mathematical model is developed to analyze the behavior of Casson–Carreau fluids in conjunction with microscopic particles and gyrotactic microorganisms over both flat and slender surfaces. Leveraging similarity transformations, the governing equations are transformed into dimensionless form, facilitating numerical solutions using the bvp5c solver in MATLAB. The ensuing numerical and graphical analyses elucidate key physical quantities, including local skin friction coefficients, gyrotactic microorganism density, Nusselt number, and Sherwood number, across a spectrum of physical parameters. Notably, the investigation underscores the profound influence of flat surfaces on flow patterns and highlights the heightened consumption of fluid particles with increasing variable diffusivity and thermal conductivity. Moreover, enhanced values of parameters such as variable motile microorganism diffusion coefficient, Brownian motion parameter, and temperature-dependent thermal conductivity parameter are found to augment the Nusselt number, indicative of intensified heat transfer rates. This research underscores the imperative of comprehending the intricate dynamics of fluid flow and heat transfer, offering actionable insights for enhancing engineering designs and addressing multifaceted challenges across domains encompassing chemical engineering, environmental science, and biomedical applications.