Investigating flow features and heat/mass transfer in two-layer vertical channel with [formula omitted] hybrid nanofluid under MHD and radiation effects

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the physical mechanisms of mass and heat transfer of nanofluid and hybrid nanofluid in a two-layer vertical channel. The Casson fluid model is used to depict the non-Newtonian behavior of blood flow (base fluid). The two-layer vertical channel represents a realistic model of blood flow in microvessels, where region-I contains titanium dioxide nanofluid. In contrast, region-II contains hybrid nanofluid of graphene and titanium dioxide. The formulation of the flow model incorporates laminar, incompressible flow with added MHD, viscous dissipation, and radiation effects. Homotopy analysis technique (HAM) is used to solve non-linear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) after the governing equations are converted into nondimensional. The graphical representation of the effect of physical parameters on velocity and temperature is presented, while the variation of skin friction and Nusselt number with emerging parameters is tabulated. The findings of current study are that an increase in the magnetic parameter has a similar effect on both velocity and temperature profiles. The Nusselt number rises with the rising of the Eckert number, Prandtl number, and magnetic parameter at the right wall but drops with the rising of these values at the left wall. Temperature is directly proportional to Eckert and Prandtl numbers, whereas a rise in radiation leads to a drop in temperature. The findings have potential implications for biomedical applications, especially in drug delivery through blood vessels to treat cardiovascular diseases.