Effects of viscous dissipation and Newtonian heating on boundary-layer flow of nanofluids over a flat plate

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the combined effects of viscous dissipation and Newtonian heating on boundary-layer flow over a flat plate for three types of water-based nanofluids containing metallic or nonmetallic nanoparticles such as copper (Cu), alumina (Al2O3), and titania (TiO2) for a range of nanoparticle volume fractions. Design/methodology/approach – The governing partial differential equations are transformed into ordinary differential equations using a similarity transformation, before being solved numerically by a Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg method with shooting technique. Findings – It is found that the heat transfer rate at the plate surface increases with increasing nanoparticle volume fraction and Biot number, while it decreases with the Brinkmann number. Moreover, the heat transfer rate at the plate surface with Cu-water nanofluid is higher than that of Al2O3-water and TiO2-water nanofluids. Practical implications – The heat transfer enhancement performances presented by nanofluids have led to innovative way of improving the thermal conductivities of working media in engineering and industries. This work provides a very useful source of information for researchers on this subject. Originality/value – This paper illustrates the combined effects of viscous dissipation and Newtonian heating on boundary-layer flow of nanofluids past a flat plate.