Scrutinization of Solar Thermal Energy and Variable Thermophysical Properties Effects on Non-Newtonian Nanofluid Flow

Abstract

Nanofluids generate high values of convection heat transfer coefficients, low specific heat, and density, which improve the solar thermal energy performance by making it work effectively. By utilizing nanotechnology and solar thermal radiation, the modern world is moving in the direction of new technologies. Therefore, this research is communicated to explore the significance of solar thermal energy, variable properties on non-Newtonian nanofluid flow. However, to exemplify the fluid transport features of the Casson nanofluid (CF), the Buongiorno nanofluid model was utilized. Also, the Lie-group technique is used in the framework to develop similarity variables that will be used to reduce the number of independent variables in partial differential equations (PDEs) and is solved numerically by using the weighted residual Galerkin method (WRGM). The graphical findings revealed that when the variable viscosity parameter is increased, the fluid temperature decreases, while the presence of the solar radiation parameter has the opposite impact. Additionally, when the non-Newtonian parameter approaches infinity, the Casson fluid obeys the viscosity law. The report of this study will be of benefit to thermal and chemical engineering for nanotechnology advancement. KEYWORD: Solar Thermal Energy, Nanofluids, Non-Newtonian, weighted residual Galerkin method (WRGM).