Entropy optimization on magnetized radiative bioconvective flow of Carreau-Yasuda hybrid CNTs through a spherical surface in a non-Darcian porous medium with activation energy

Abstract

This work inspects entropy generation and heat transfer induced by a bioconvection slip flow of nonlinear radiative Carreau-Yasuda hybrid nanofluid (NF) over a convectively heated sphere. Activation energy for microbes is contemplated in order to comprehend its contribution toward flow features. The original partial differential equations (PDEs) are rendered non-dimensional through appropriate conversions, and the resulting PDEs are solved using the overlapping grid spectral collocation algorithm. The impact of diverse flow factors on flow profiles, entropy generation, skin friction, heat, mass, and motile microbes transport rates is analyzed. Key outcomes reveal that hybrid NF flow demonstrates a supplementary indispensable feature in the operation of heat transport compared to mono NF flow. More entropy is generated in the system by using the hybrid NF model along with magnetic field, heat source, convective heating, nonlinear radiation, and viscous dissipation. Thermal fields and rate of heat transport are improved by including nonlinear radiative heat flux in the system. Mass and motile microbes transport rates are respectively enhanced by chemical and microbial reactions, but both quantities are reduced by activation energy. The effects of microbial reactions on flow quantities substantiate the significance of these features for the dynamics of microorganisms. The findings of this study can be useful in the upsurge of thermal performance of the working fluid and contribute toward the improvement of microbial fuel cell performance.