Finite-element method for the effects of chemical reaction, variable viscosity, thermophoresis and heat generation/absorption on a boundary-layer hydromagnetic flow with heat and mass transfer over a heat surface

Abstract

The effects of variable viscosity, thermophoresis and heat generation or absorption on hydromagnetic flow with heat and mass transfer over a heat surface are presented here, taking into account the homogeneous chemical reaction of first order. The fluid viscosity is assumed to vary as an inverse linear function of temperature. The velocity profiles are compared with previously published works and are found to be in good agreement. The governing fundamental equations are approximated by a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations and are solved numerically by using the finite element method. The steady-state velocity, temperature and concentration profiles are shown graphically. It is observed that due to the presence of first-order chemical reaction the concentration decreases with increasing values of the chemical reaction parameter. The results also showed that the particle deposition rates were strongly influenced by thermophoresis and buoyancy force, particularly for opposing flow and hot surfaces. Numerical results for the skin-friction coefficient, wall heat transfer and particle deposition rate are obtained and reported graphically for various parametric conditions to show interesting aspects of the solution.