Nonsimilar modeling and numerical convective transport analysis of forced flow of radiative Carreau nanofluid with zero mass flux boundary condition

Abstract

AbstractPresent research focuses on nonsimilar analysis of the flow of a non‐Newtonian Carreau nanofluid against different geometrical configurations affected by thermal radiations. The flow is induced by stretchable surface with the implementation of zero‐net mass‐flux conditions on the surface. This considered model is commonly known as Kuznetsov and Nield's proposed updated model for nanoparticles. The derived flow equations are first nondimensionalized by employing appropriate nonsimilar transformations. The transformed system is analytically tackled by employing the local nonsimilarity (LNS) approach up to the second‐truncation level in association with the numerical algorithm bvp4c. The consequences of appropriate parameters, such as the suction parameter, wedge angle parameter, Weissenberg number, Prandtl number, constant velocity parameter, temperature ratio, Brownian motion, Lewis number, thermophoresis and radiation parameters, on fluid velocity, thermal, and concentration profiles are calculated and graphed. Drag coefficient, Nusselt, and Sherwood numbers are also computed and presented in tabular form. It is observed that intensification in the suction parameter shows augmentation in the local skin friction coefficient. Enhancement in the wedge angle parameter increases both the Sherwood and Nusselt numbers. Enhancement in velocity profile of the nanofluids is noticed with the increasing estimations of suction parameter. Thermophoresis parameter enhances both thermal and concentration profiles, however increasing Lewis number leads to a decline in the concentration boundary layer. With judgment, a comparative assessment is made of the present and previous results. This research may be helpful for the researchers that are interested in studying prospective industrial and engineering nanofluid applications, notably in geophysical and geothermal systems, heat exchangers, solar water heaters, and many others.