Numerical simulation for thermally stratified Powell–Eyring fluid due to the Riga plate: application of the Cattaneo–Christov theory

Abstract

The present study demonstrates the behavior of Powell–Eyring fluid flow deformed by a linearly stretchable Riga plate. The analysis of heat characteristics is scrutinized with the thermal stratification phenomenon conducted through generalized Fourier’s law (i.e. the Cattaneo–Christov theory). Heat generation/absorption is assumed to disclose the features of thermal transport phenomena. The temperature of the plate is higher than the ambient fluid temperature. It is noted that the Cattaneo–Christov model is responsible to generate some extra terms of heat absorption or generation in the energy conservation law. Appropriate transformations are implemented to achieve nonlinear governing equations in the form of an ordinary differential equation. Numerical solutions are computed for the governing equations through the Range–Kutta Fehlberg technique. In summary, the modified Hartman number is responsible to grow up velocity distribution while the opposite trend is noted for the variable thickness parameter. Heat transport phenomenon can be minimized by incorporating higher thermal relaxation parameters (i.e. it can be used as a cooling phenomenon).