Optimization of thermal performance in ternary nanofluids dynamics on curved surface through employment of active and passive strategies

Abstract

Improving thermal conductivity of heat transporting fluids is one of the most effective strategies to address practical challenges relating to optimization of heat energy. This novel study aims at employment of some active as well as passive strategies to investigate their engagement in maximizing energy transportation. The active strategies include addition of nanoparticles of three different metal oxides in the water to enhance its heat conductivity. The presence of gyrotactic microorganisms in ternary nanofluid is assumed to improve solubility. We have also considered nanometric phenomenon of Brownian motion and thermophoresis which were declared most effective in heat and mass transport by Buongiorno. Moreover, effects of magnetic force, thermal radiations, nonlinear heat source, activation energy, and chemical reaction are deliberated to estimate effects of their presence on temperature and rheology of ternary nanofluid flow. Apart from said active strategies to control heat and mass flow rate, curvature of curved surface and porous media has been employed to determine their efficacy as passive controls, particularly on ternary nanofluid flow on curved surface. The modeled equations are solved numerically by MATLAB bvp4c package and solution is validated by comparison of acquired results with those already published in literature. The obtained results are discussed in details by providing physical explanations of rheological and thermal behavior of flow. The study concludes that combination of active and passive control strategies can be effectively utilized to improve overall rheological behavior and thermal performance of ternary nanofluid. This study contributes in better understanding of heat and mass transport in ternary nanofluid dynamics with active and passive control strategies promoting advances in research at intersection of these fields having wide range real-life applications and implications.