Low Reynolds number MHD mixed convection of nanofluid in a corner heated grooved cavity

Abstract

This study aims to explore mixed magnetohydrodynamic convective transport phenomena in a grooved channel geometry using CuO-H2O nano-fluid flow under low fluid velocity situation. Convective dynamics in such complex geometry have not been studied in detail considering multiphysical scenarios. The fluid enters through the enclosure in cold conditions having temperature Tc and all the walls of the cavity are insulated, except the corner heated with Th temperature. The numerical technique is adopted to solve two-dimensional continuity, momentum, and energy equations. A parametric study is carried out here in terms of Rayleigh number (Ra), Reynolds number (Re), Hartmann number (Ha), and nano-particle concentration (φ). The observations are highlighted in the form of isotherms, streamline plots, and average Nusselt number (Nu) to study the variation of Ra, Re, Ha, and φ on the thermo-fluid coupled process. The current study reveals that for the specified geometry, the change of Ra, Re, and Ha significantly affects the flow pattern along with related heat transfer features as compared to φ. The analysis implied that the optimum heat-transfer performance (Nu = 7.58) is obtained under conditions of Ra = 105, Re = 30, and Ha = 0. The flow separation process becomes more complex and is dictated by the magnetic field intensity.