On the magnetohydrodynamic Al2O3-water nanofluid flow through parallel fins enclosed inside a partially heated hexagonal cavity

Abstract

Fins are introduced in numerous engineering applications related to heat exchangers, gas turbines, electric transformers, semiconductor devices, air-cooled engines, automobile radiators, hydrogen fuel cells, etc. Nanofluids are known as novel engineered fluids having superior thermal conductivity compared to traditional coolants. With this motivation, the present effort is dedicated to enlightening the hydrothermal variations of alumina-water nanofluid passing through the parallel fins inside a partially heated hexagonal enclosure. The bottom part of the enclosure is assumed to be heated, while the top face is partly heated. Three parallel fins are positioned inside the hexagonal compartment with the right as well as left fins are cooled and the middle fin is heated. The hexagonal cavity experiences a magnetic influence applied horizontally. Similarity conversions are considered to have the non-dimensional flow profile and they are tackled with Galerkin finite element scheme. The grid independence and comparison tests are directed to establish the designed model's accuracy. The parametric discussion includes various streamlines, velocities, temperature, isotherms, and Nusselt number profiles for Rayleigh number, Hartmann number, and nanoparticles concentration. The analysis reveals enhanced convection, velocity, and thermal outcomes for the Rayleigh number, but the opposite trend is switched on for Hartmann number and nanoparticle concentration