Peristalsis of Carreau–Yasuda nanofluid possessing variable thermal conductivity regulated by electroosmosis via an expanding asymmetric channel

Abstract

Peristalsis of non-Newtonian nanofluid via a non-uniform conduit has several applications in physiology and industry. This study proposes a mathematical model as well as exploration of the impacts of entropy generation for peristalsis of magneto nanofluid with temperature-dependent thermal conductivity via an expanding asymmetric channel. Buongiorno’s model for study of nanofluid flow has been adopted. Rheological aspects are accounted using the Carreau–Yasuda model due to its experimentally validated significance. Impacts of applied electric and magnetic fields have been taken into account. Thermophoresis, ohmic heating, viscous heating and Brownian motion effects are incorporated in the model. Numerical method is used via NDSolve in Mathematica after implementing the lubrication approach and Debye–Huckel linearization. The effects of embedded parameters on the flow, heat transfer, entropy generation and Bejan number are studied using graphical depictions. Outcomes indicate that a rise in electroosmotic parameter enhances heat transfer rate, whereas it reduces entropy generation and mass transfer rate at the boundary. Therefore, this study can provide basics to study nanofluidic systems which has applications in drug delivery. Increasing trends for temperature, heat transfer rate and entropy generation, while declining trends in the concentration of the particles are noted for higher joule heating.