Thermal analysis and optimization approach for ternary nanofluid flow in a novel porous cavity by considering nanoparticle shape factor

Abstract

This study focuses on the numerical investigation and optimization of the heat-fluid transfer process within a novel cavity containing a ternary nanofluid (Cu–MgO–ZnO/water) influenced by a magnetic field. The research is conducted within a circular cavity featuring a cold wall and a complex internal heat source. The governing equations, converted into dimensionless form, are solved using a computational code based on the finite volume approach. The analysis encompasses the effects of a wide range of physical parameters, including the Rayleigh number (Ra), Hartmann number (Ha), magnetic field angle (α), radiation (Ra), nanoparticle shape factor (Sf), and porosity (ԑ). The results revealed that increasing the nanoparticle shape factor leads to a significant 61 % enhancement in the outer Nusselt number. This finding underscores the substantial influence of the nanoparticle shape factor (Sf) on heat transfer compared to other controlled variables. Furthermore, the response surface method is employed to determine the optimal conditions that yield the highest Nusselt number, resulting in optimal values for Ra, Ha, ԑ, Rd, α, and Sf of 2876, 44.26, 0.75, 0.073, 54.21, and 16.15, respectively. Consequently, the highest average Nusselt number attained is 20.01. As a result, this optimization approach establishes valuable correlations among various control parameters to enhance thermal energy, offering valuable insights for designers in the development of thermal devices.