Impact of variable fluid characteristics on MHD hybrid nanofluid (MgO+ZnO/H2O) flow over an exponentially elongated sheet with non-uniform heat generation

Abstract

Variations in viscosity and thermal conductivity play a vital role in the manufacturing of glass fiber, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, and plastics, as well as in hot rolling, space technology, and high-temperature processes. This article investigates an electrically conducting hybrid nanofluid flowing across an exponentially extended sheet under variable fluid properties, such as thermal conductivity, viscosity, and non-uniform heat generation. In addition, the Prandtl number can vary inside the boundary layer and is an effective way to manage heat transfer and fluid flow. Furthermore, slip effects and suction at the boundary have been considered, and the hybrid nanofluid flow is also influenced by variations in viscous forces and viscous dissipation effects. The governing partial differential equations can be discretized into dimensionless ordinary differential equations using similarity transformations. The various important physical parameters have been presented in detail using diagrams. It is also observed that the skin friction of hybrid nanofluids is increased by up to 4.07% compared to nanofluids with suction. The presence of thermal radiation can enhance the energy Nusselt number of hybrid nanofluids by as much as 6.5%. Moreover, the variable Prandtl number is more effective than the constant Prandtl number in enhancing the heat transfer rate.