Numerical simulation of double diffusive convection and electroosmosis during peristaltic transport of a micropolar nanofluid on an asymmetric microchannel

Abstract

A numerical computation is performed to analyze the double diffusive convection in micropolar nanofluids flow governed by peristaltic pumping in an asymmetric microchannel, in the presence of thermal radiation and an external magnetic field. The highly nonlinear governing equations are diluted by using desirable physical assumptions such as lubrication approximation and low zeta potential. Convective boundary conditions are employed. This enables us to determine numerical estimates of various physical flow variables such as velocity, pressure gradient, spin velocity, temperature of the nanofluid, concentration of solute, and volume fraction of nanoparticles for sundry parameters like micropolar parameter, coupling parameter, solutal Grashof number, thermophoretic diffusion coefficient, Grashof number, thermal radiation parameter and Helmholtz–Smoluchowski velocity with the aid of bvp4c function built-in command of MATLAB 2012b. Influence of each relevant parameter on flow, thermal and species characteristics are computed in this study. Influence of Soret and Dufour parameters are also simulated. This model is applicable to the study of chemical fraternization/separation procedures and various thermal management systems like of heat sinks, thermoelectric coolers, forced air systems and fans, heat pipes, and many more.