Finite element analysis for sand and paraffin wax nanoparticles in propylene glycol–water mixture-based hybrid nanofluid flow over a swirling cylinder with Arrhenius kinetics

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the impact of activation energy on the flow of a hybrid nanofluid over a rotating stretching cylinder with torsional motion and a heat source/sink. The paraffin wax-sand-propylene glycol–water-based hybrid nanofluid has been used in the study. By adopting appropriate similarity transformations, the modeled partial differential equations are transformed into a set of ordinary differential equations, which are then solved using the finite element method. The numerical integration’s validity and reliability, as well as the newly obtained discoveries, were thoroughly analyzed. Results reveal that the larger Reynolds number values enhance the system’s inertial force, which resists the liquid accelerating force and declines both velocities and heat transport. The heat source/sink parameter has a favorable impact on the thermal profile, but larger Schmidt number values restrict mass transfer. The improved values of the chemical reaction rate parameter augment the mass transport rate, but nondimensional activation energy parameter has negative impact on Sherwood number.