Thermal and reactive effects in nanofluid flow around a contracting cylinder under magnetic field influence

Abstract

This study investigates the dynamic behavior of natural ester-based ferrous oxide (Fe3O4) nanofluid flow around an unsteady contracting cylinder under the influence of a magnetic field, heat generation, and homogeneous-heterogeneous reactions. The governing equations for the flow, heat transfer, and chemical reactions are solved numerically using appropriate mathematical models. The bvp4c built-in MATLAB package is applied to address the complexity of the problem. The effects of magnetic field, heat generation, and reactive chemistry on the flow field, temperature distribution, and species concentration profiles are analysed comprehensively. As part of the validation process, we validate the reliability of our findings by comparing them to established benchmarks. Motivated by the increasing interest in environmentally friendly and sustainable fluid mediums, natural esters are chosen as the base fluid due to their biodegradability, low toxicity, and excellent insulating properties. This research aims to provide valuable insights into optimizing processes involving nanofluid flow in magnetohydrodynamic systems with reactive heat generation, utilizing natural esters as a promising alternative to conventional fluids. Insights gained from this study offer potential applications in various engineering and industrial contexts, contributing to the advancement of eco-friendly technologies.