Entropy generation and heat transfer analysis for ferrofluid flow between two rotating disks with variable conductivity

Abstract

Present model analyze the flow and heat transfer of water-based carbon nanotubes (CNTs) [Formula: see text] ferrofluid flow between two radially stretchable rotating disks in the presence of a uniform magnetic field. A study for entropy generation analysis is carried out to measure the irreversibility of the system. Using similarity transformation, the governing equations in the model are transformed into a set of nonlinear coupled differential equations in non-dimensional form. The nonlinear coupled differential equations are solved numerically through the finite element method. Variable viscosity, variable thermal conductivity, thermal radiation, and volume concentration have a crucial role in heat transfer enhancement. The results for the entropy generation rate, velocity distributions, and temperature distribution are graphically presented in the presence of physical and geometrical parameters of the flow. Increasing the values of ferromagnetic interaction number, Reynolds number, and temperature-dependent viscosity enhances the skin friction coefficients on the surface and wall of the lower disk. The local heat transfer rate near the lower disk is reduced in the presence of Harman number, Reynolds number, and Prandtl number. The ferrohydrodynamic flow between two rotating disks might be useful to optimize the use of hybrid nanofluid for liquid seals in rotating machinery.