On laminar hydromagnetic mixed convection flow in a vertical channel with symmetric and asymmetric wall heating conditions

Abstract

The problem of hydromagnetic fully developed laminar mixed convection flow in a vertical channel with symmetric and asymmetric wall heating conditions in the presence or absence of heat generation or absorption effects is considered. Through proper choice of dimensionless variables, the governing equations are developed and three types of thermal boundary conditions are prescribed. These thermal boundary conditions are isothermal–isothermal, isoflux–isothermal, and isothermal–isoflux for the left–right walls of the channel. Analytical solutions for the velocity and temperature profiles for various special cases of the problem are reported. In addition, closed-form expressions for the Nusselt numbers and reversal flow conditions at both the left and right channel walls are derived. The general problem which includes the effects of both viscous dissipation and Joule heating is solved numerically by an implicit finite-difference scheme. Favorable comparisons of special cases with previously published work are obtained. A selected set of graphical results illustrating the effects of the various parameters involved in the problem including viscous and magnetic dissipations on the velocity and temperature profiles as well as flow reversal situations and Nusselt numbers is presented and discussed.