Flow of carbon nanotubes submerged in water through a channel with wavy walls with convective boundary conditions

Abstract

Efficient heat transfer characteristics of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) extend the applications of nanofluids in various engineering and biomedical processes. Model for the peristaltic transport of nanofluid through an asymmetric channel is presented here. Analysis is carried out in the presence of viscous dissipation, mixed convection, and heat generation/absorption parameter. Convective heat transfer at the boundaries is also accounted by making use of the effective thermal conductivity of nanofluid. Mathematical modelling has been carried out in view of long wavelength and low Reynolds number approximations. Resulting nonlinear equations are solved for the development of series solutions. Series solutions for small Brinkman number are computed. Effects of sundry parameters on the axial velocity, pressure gradient, pressure rise per wavelength, temperature, streamlines, and heat transfer rate at the boundary are studied through their respective plots. Comparison between single-walled CNTs and multi-walled CNTs is also presented. Results indicate that by adding CNTs to the water, the velocity and temperature are decreased. Further, the heat transfer rate at the boundaries enhances with an increase in the CNT volume fraction. Also, the single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) show larger heat transfer rate at the boundary when compared with the multiple-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs).