Interaction of Variable Fluid Properties with Electrokinetically Modulated Peristaltic Flow of Reactive Nanofluid: A Thermodynamical Analysis

Abstract

In the present study, the interaction of variable fluid properties with electrokinetically regulated peristaltic transportation of a reactive nanofluid embedded in a porous space is studied. The nanofluid saturates the porous space/medium with inhomogeneous porosity, which changes with distance from the channel boundary. It is assumed that nanofluids are accompanied by variable thermal conductivity and viscosity. The impacts of magnetic field, Brownian motion, electric field, viscous dissipation, chemical reaction, mixed convection, and thermophoresis are incorporated. Moreover, the contribution of zero mass flux boundary condition is executed. The complexity of the equations describing the flow of a nanofluid is reduced by applying the lubrication theory. The fully non-linear equations are solved by utilizing a numerical technique. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of entropy optimization, since its minimization is the best measure to enhance the efficiency of thermal systems. These results demonstrate that a positively oriented external electric field contributes to an increase in nanofluid velocity. Temperature of nanofluid increases more rapidly due to an augmentation in Joule heating parameter. It is noticed that the temperature of water is comparatively lower than that of kerosene. The system’s energy loss can be reduced when the thermal conductivity parameter enhance. The magnitude of Bejan number is enhanced by increasing electroosmotic parameter. Further, a substantial decrement in concentration profile is perceived when the Schmidt number is augmented.