Similarity solutions for flows and heat transfer in microchannels between two parallel plates

Abstract

In this paper we give analytical similarity solutions of the Navier–Stokes equations coupled with energy equation of Newtonian fluid in a microchannel between two parallel plates taking into account the effects of viscous dissipation, the velocity slip and the temperature jump at the wall. Two different thermal boundary conditions are considered: the constant heat flux (CHF) and the constant wall temperature (CWT). We provide new similarity transformations for the governing equations and derive the expressions of Poiseuille number ( Po) and Nusselt number ( Nu). Then, the homotopy analysis method (HAM) is employed to solve the nonlinear differential equations with related boundary conditions. Both the dimensionless analytical expressions of velocity and temperature are obtained. The rarefaction effects on velocity distribution and flow friction are exhibited. The interactive effects of the Brinkman number ( Br) and the Knudsen number ( Kn) on Nu are analytically studied for both the CHF and CWT cases.