Single-phase Nanofluid Model Research Articles

The significant role of Darcy–Forchhiemer with integrated hybrid nanoparticles (Graphene and TiO 2) on dusty nanofluid flow subjected to heat conduction

The thermal analysis of two-phase models that deal with the fluid and dusty phases has been considered. This study instigates the flow of a non-miscible, dusty hybrid nanofluid over a stretching cylinder with Darcy–Forchheimer permeability in the presence of thermal radiation. The mathematical model is based on the single-phase nanofluid model, which features modified thermophysical characteristics. This innovative flow model explores how important it is to enhance the concentration of dust particles in fluid dynamics. Hybrid nanoparticles are substituted for nanoparticles in a conventional case to accelerate the heat transfer rate of the fluid. Therefore, in this study, the magnetohydrodynamic flow of hybrid nanofluids and heat transfer of non-Newtonian dusty fluids with suspensions of hybrid nanoparticles have been examined. The appropriate dimensionless variables are used to convert the governing periodic model into a non-dimensional form. The finite-difference-based bvp5c algorithm is used through Matlab for numerical analysis of the set of obtained ordinary differential equations. The graphs explored the influences of relatable factors over the profiles of mass, heat, and velocity transfers. It is observed that with intensifying values of Eckert number (Ec) and Biot number (Bi), the temperature of both phases increased at a significant level, and the velocity decreased with increasing intensity of the magnetic field. The computational results of velocity, core temperature, and intensity dispersion are significant for both aspects. Furthermore, it is observed that both the fluid and dust phases exhibit declining behavior as a result of the impact of porosity, mass concentration, and magnetism on the flow stream. Moreover, it is noticed that both the dust phase temperature θ p ( η ) and fluid phase temperature θ ( η ) intensified with the high intensity of magnetic field and thermal radiation. The missile nozzles, nuclear power plants for aerospace and gaseous-core nuclear rocket systems, and the radiation are considered for evaluating heating significance.

Study of hybrid nanofluid flow in a stationary cone-disk system with temperature-dependent fluid properties

Cone-disk systems find frequent use such as conical diffusers, medical devices, various rheometric, and viscosimetry applications. In this study, we investigate the three-dimensional flow of a water-based Ag-MgO hybrid nanofluid in a static cone-disk system while considering temperature-dependent fluid properties. How the variable fluid properties affect the dynamics and heat transfer features is studied by Reynolds’s linearized model for variable viscosity and Chiam’s model for variable thermal conductivity. The single-phase nanofluid model is utilized to describe convective heat transfer in hybrid nanofluids, incorporating the experimental data. This model is developed as a coupled system of convective-diffusion equations, encompassing the conservation of momentum and the conservation of thermal energy, in conjunction with an incompressibility condition. A self-similar model is developed by the Lie-group scaling transformations, and the subsequent self-similar equations are then solved numerically. The influence of variable fluid parameters on both swirling and non-swirling flow cases is analyzed. Additionally, the Nusselt number for the disk surface is calculated. It is found that an increase in the temperature-dependent viscosity parameter enhances heat transfer characteristics in the static cone-disk system, while the thermal conductivity parameter has the opposite effect.

Convective nanofluid flow subjected to variable porosity, inclined magnetic field, and thermal radiations

Nanofluids pique the attention of researchers and scientists because of their excellent thermal transfer rates. They have numerous technological and industrial implementations in daily life. Nonsimilar analysis in this research is performed to study the consequences of nonuniform porosity of a porous medium on the radiative flow of nanofluid across a vertically positioned stretching surface. Moreover, the effects of viscous dissipation and inclined magnetic field are also taken into account. Single phase nanofluid model with latest thermophysical features of nanofluid are considered to devise the physical problem. Hamilton–Crosser model is used to investigate the various shapes of nanoparticles. Titanium oxide (TiO 2), Zirconium dioxide (ZrO2 ), water and Borosilicate ceramic are regarded as nanoparticles, base fluid, and porous media, respectively. The Brinkman–Forchheimer-extended Darcy model is assumed to represent the flow through porous medium. The governing partial differential equations (PDEs) with accompanying boundary conditions are transformed into the dimensionless system by deploying the appropriate transformations. The local nonsimilarity (LNS) approach with MATLAB bvp4c algorithm is executed to solve the dimensionless nonlinear coupled differential system. Results demonstrate that the augmentation in Hartmann number and porosity parameter diminished the velocity profiles of the considered nanofluids. Moreover, maximum temperature profile is noticed for the lamina shaped nanoparticles. Local Nusselt number for considered cases diminishes against the augmented estimations of Richardson number, radiation parameter and nanoparticles shape factor. A comparative study between the current study and previously published results for a specific case is conducted to validate the results, and good agreement is found between them.

Natural Convection of Ternary Hybrid Nanofluid in a Differential-Heated Enclosure with Non-Uniform Heating Wall.

In the field of convective energy transfer, natural convection is one of the most studied phenomena, with applications ranging from heat exchangers and geothermal energy systems to hybrid nanofluids. The aim of this paper is to scrutinize the free convection of a ternary hybrid nanosuspension (Al2O3-Ag-CuO/water ternary hybrid nanofluid) in an enclosure with a linearly warming side border. The ternary hybrid nanosuspension motion and energy transfer have been modelled by partial differential equations (PDEs) with appropriate boundary conditions by the single-phase nanofluid model with the Boussinesq approximation. The finite element approach is applied to resolve the control PDEs after transforming them into a dimensionless view. The impact of significant characteristics such as the nanoparticles' volume fraction, Rayleigh number, and linearly heating temperature constant on the flow and thermal patterns combined with the Nusselt number has been investigated and analyzed using streamlines, isotherms, and other suitable patterns. The performed analysis has shown that the addition of a third kind of nanomaterial allows for intensifying the energy transport within the closed cavity. The transition between uniform heating to non-uniform heating of the left vertical wall characterizes the heat transfer degradation due to a reduction of the heat energy output from this heated wall.

Optimization of MHD Flow of Radiative Micropolar Nanofluid in a Channel by RSM: Sensitivity Analysis

These days, heat transfer plays a significant role in the fields of engineering and energy, particularly in the biological sciences. Ordinary fluid is inadequate to transfer heat in an efficient manner, therefore, several models were considered for the betterment of heat transfer. One of the most prominent models is a single-phase nanofluid model. The present study is devoted to solving the problem of micropolar fluid with a single-phase model in a channel numerically. The governing partial differential equations (PDEs) are converted into nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by introducing similarity transformation and then solved numerically by the finite difference method. Response surface methodology (RSM) together with sensitivity analysis are implemented for the optimization analysis. The study reveals that sensitivity of the skin friction coefficient (Cfx) to the Reynolds number (R) and magnetic parameter (M) is positive (directly proportional) and negative (inversely proportional) for the micropolar parameter.

Cooling of a periodic heat-generating solid element in an electronic cabinet using a non-Newtonian pseudoplastic nanofluid and a heat-conducting substrate

PurposeNowadays, the most important challenge in mechanical engineering, power engineering and electronics is a development of effective cooling systems for heat-generating units. Taking into account this challenge, this study aims to deal with computational investigation of thermogravitational energy transport of pseudoplastic nanoliquid in an electronic chamber with a periodic thermally producing unit placed on the bottom heat-conducting wall of finite thickness under an influence of isothermal cooling from vertical side walls.Design/methodology/approachThe control equations formulated using the Boussinesq approach, Ostwald–de Waele power law and single-phase nanofluid model with experimentally based correlations of Guo et al. for nanofluid dynamic viscosity and Jang and Choi for nanofluid thermal conductivity have been worked out by the in-house computational procedure using the finite difference technique. The impact of the Rayleigh number, nanoadditives concentration, frequency of the periodic heat generation from the local element and thickness of the bottom solid substrate on nanoliquid circulation and energy transport has been studied.FindingsIt has been found that a raise of the nanoadditives concentration intensifies the cooling of the heat-generating element, while a growth of the heat-generation frequency allows reducing the amplitude of the heater temperature.Originality/valueMathematical modeling of a pseudoplastic nanomaterial thermogravitational energy transport in an electronic cabinet with a periodic thermally generating unit, a heat-conducting substrate and isothermal cooling vertical surfaces to identify the possibility of intensifying heat removal from a heated surface.

Comparative Study on Rosseland’s Heat Flux on Three-Dimensional MHD Stagnation-Point Multiple Slip Flow of Ternary Hybrid Nanofluid over a Stretchable Rotating Disk

This article investigates the three-dimensional magneto stagnation-point flow of ternary hybrid nanofluid caused by a radially extended infinite gyrating disk with multiple slip effects. The main concern is to analyze the characteristics of heat transport when linear thermal radiation (LTR), quadratic thermal radiation (QTR), and full nonlinear thermal radiation (FNTR) are significant. Ternary fluid is a composition of water, spherical-shaped silver, cylindrical-shaped aluminum oxide, and platelet-shaped aluminum nanoparticles. Non-uniform heat source effects are taken into account. The governing equations are constructed using a single-phase nanofluid model using boundary layer theory and von Karman variables. The consequent nonlinear problem is solved with an efficient finite element method and the results are verified with the available data. The Nusselt number and friction factors are computed for both clean fluid and ternary nanofluid subjected to three different forms of Rosseland’s thermal radiation. Our results demonstrate that the rate of heat transport (Nusselt number) is higher in the FNTR case than in QTR and LTR, and it is even higher for ternary nanofluid compared to clean fluid. Further, the heat transport rate gets reduced for a higher heat source parameter. The rotation of the disk escalates the shear stress along both the radial and axial directions. The multiple slip boundary conditions lead to condensed boundary layers over a disk surface.

Thermal conductivity performance in hybrid (SWCNTs-CuO/Ehylene glycol) nanofluid flow: Dual solutions

The major interest of this research is to study the flow characteristics and heat transfer of a hybrid nanofluid due to stretching/shrinking surface. The surface is permeable, which allowing fluid suction from the wall mass. The mathematical model is based on a single phase nanofluid model with modified thermophysical properties. The similarity transformation is used to alter the partial differential equations into coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations, which are then tackled numerically using the bvp4c function in MATLAB software. The characteristics of different controlling parameters on velocity and temperature distributions along with skin friction coefficient and heat transfer rate are illustrated graphically. The results reveal that in comparison to simple nanofluid, the hybrid nanofluid is more efficient in heat conduction due to its strong thermal properties. It is further observed that Eckert number has no effect on boundary layer separation, whereas the higher value of suction parameter may have an effect on heat transfer performance. Finally, the numerical outcomes are compared to already published results in the limiting scenario and found to be in good accord.

Significance of Darcy-Brinkman porous drag forces and Cattaneo-Christov thermal transportation on the features of second-grade fluid flows conveying copper nanomaterials past an unsteady stretching permeable sheet heated convectively

The main thermo-hydro-rheological behaviors featuring the unsteady convective laminar motion of copper-methanol second-grade nanofluid over a linearly stretching permeable sheet is explored numerically in the framework of Cattaneo-Christov theory to provide a better understanding of the heat transfer mechanism within a Darcy-Brinkman porous medium. By adopting the single-phase nanofluid model along with the boundary layer approximations, the leading partial differential equations (PDEs) are derived properly and then converted mathematically into a differential structure of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) via appropriate similarity alterations. Accordingly, the resulting dimensionless boundary layer equations are tacked numerically for convective and suction boundary conditions by utilizing the generalized differential quadrature method (GDQM). To reveal the effect of such a pertinent flow parameter, extensive GDQM numerical data are outputted graphically for the velocity and temperature fields as well as tabularly for skin friction coefficient and the Nusselt number. As the main findings, it is noted that both the velocity profile and the wall temperature lessen with the suction parameter and the nanoparticle’s loading. However, an enhancement is depicted for the wall heat transfer rate with the reinforcement in those influences. In addition, it is witnessed that the effect of the surface drag forces is strengthened with the nanoparticle’s loading and weakened with a higher estimation of the suction effect.

Steady Flow of Burgers’ Nanofluids over a Permeable Stretching/Shrinking Surface with Heat Source/Sink

An engineered fluid, called nanofluid, is expected to have better thermal conductivity than conventional working fluids. The superior heat transfer performance and various possible applications promote the analysis of nanofluids in different flow geometries. This paper studies the flow of non-Newtonian Burgers’ nanofluids over a permeable stretching/shrinking surface with a heat source/sink. In the current study, we highlight the use of the single-phase nanofluid model in studying the boundary layer flow. The basic partial differential equations are transformed into ordinary (similarity) differential equations. Then, the resulting equations and boundary conditions are solved numerically in MATLAB using the bvp4c package. Triple solutions are presented, and stability analysis certifies that the first solution is physically realizable in practice. It is found that the increment of the heat source parameter raised the temperature profile of the nanofluids. Al2O3/H2O and Cu/H2O nanofluids produced the highest skin friction coefficient in the flow over stretching and shrinking surfaces, respectively. Meanwhile, Cu/H2O nanofluid showed a better heat transfer performance when compared to Al2O3/H2O and TiO2/H2O nanofluids. The present study is novel and could serve as a reference to other researchers for further analysis of heat transfer performance and the rheological behavior of nanofluids.

Linear stability perspective on mixed convection flow of nanofluids in a differentially heated vertical channel

We report instability properties of mixed convection flow of different nanofluids in a differentially heated vertical channel through a linear stability analysis. A single-phase nanofluid model is used to report the instability mechanism of nanofluids, which fairly works for the low concentration of the nanoparticles. The stability results are examined for five different types of water-based nanofluids. The basic flow and linear disturbance equations are solved with the Chebyshev spectral collocation method. The influence of nanoparticles volume fraction (φ) in different water-based nanofluids is analyzed in terms of growth rate analysis, instability boundaries and kinetic energy analysis. The results reveal that increasing the concentration of nanoparticles in the water improves the stability of the basic flow. However, increasing the Reynolds number (Re) value destabilizes the basic flow of nanofluid due to the dominant nature of the shear force. Compared to conventional pure water fluid, the inclusion of nanoparticles in pure water delays the onset of instabilities by reducing the growth of the disturbance. The order of stability for different nanofluids in (φ,Gr/Re)-plane is observed as: Al2O3/water >TiO2/water >CuO/water >Cu/water >Ag/water nanofluid, where Gr is Grashof number. By increasing the volume percentage of nanoparticles, the friction coefficient at the heated wall of the channel decreases. The kinetic energy balance at the critical level shows that shear instability is the most dominant instability for considered nanofluids.

Heat transfer attributes of MoS2/Al2O3 hybrid nanomaterial flow through converging/diverging channels with shape factor effect

The energy transport for hybrid nanofluids flow through non-parallel surfaces with converging/diverging nature is becoming important engineering topics because of its occurrence in biomedicine, cavity flow model and flow through canals, etc. Therefore, this work attempted to study the momentum and heat transport for MHD Jeffery-Hamel flow of hybrid nanofluids through converging/diverging surfaces. This analysis further evaluates the heat transport features subject to thermal radiation and nanoparticles shape factor impacts. A mathematical formulation under single phase nanofluid model with modified thermophysical properties has been carried out. The leading equations are transmuted into dimensionless form with the implementation of appropriate scaling parameters. The collocated numerical procedure coded in MATLAB is employed to acquire the numerical solutions for governing coupled non-linear differential problem. Multiple branches (first and second) are simulated for flow and temperature fields with varying values of involved physical parameters in case of convergent channel. The studies revealed that there is a significant rise in fluid velocity for higher magnetic parameter in case of divergent channel. The findings reveal that the skin-friction coefficient (drag) significantly reduces with higher Reynolds number. In addition, the heat transfer rate enhances with channel angle as well as nanoparticles volume fraction in upper branches.

Numerical exploration of mixed convection heat transfer features within a copper-water nanofluidic medium occupied a square geometrical cavity

The phenomenon of mixed convection heat transfer in a homogeneous mixture is deliberated thoroughly in this study for cooper-water nanofluids flowing inside a lid-driven square cavity. By adopting the Oberbeck-Boussinesq approximation and using the single-phase nanofluid model, the governing partial differential equations modeling the present flow are stated mathematically based on the Navier--Stokes and thermal balance formulations, where the important features of the scrutinized medium are presumed to remain constant at the cold temperature. Note here that the density quantity in the buoyancy body force is a linear temperature-dependent function. The characteristic quantities are computed realistically via the commonly used phenomenological laws and the more accurate experimental correlations. A feasible non-dimensionalization procedure has been employed to derive the dimensionless conservation equations. The resulting nonlinear differential equations are solved numerically for realistic boundary conditions by employing the fourth-order compact finite-difference method (FOCFDM). After performing extensive validations with the previously published findings, the dynamical and thermal features of the studied convective nanofluid flow are revealed to be in good agreement for sundry values of the involved physical parameters. Besides, the present numerical outcomes are discussed graphically and tabularly with the help of streamlines, isotherms, velocity fields, temperature distributions, and local heat transfer rate profiles.

A new similarity solution with stability analysis for the three-dimensional boundary layer of hybrid nanofluids

Purpose The purpose of this study is to implement a new class of similarity transformation in analyzing the three-dimensional boundary layer flow of hybrid nanofluid. The Cu-Al2O3/water hybrid nanofluid is formulated using the single-phase nanofluid model with modified thermophysical properties. Design/methodology/approach The governing partial differential equations are reduced to the ordinary (similarity) differential equations using the proposed similarity transformation. The resulting equations are programmed in Matlab software through the bvp4c solver to obtain their solutions. The features of the reduced skin frictions and the velocity profiles for different values of the physical parameters are analyzed and discussed. Findings The non-uniqueness of the solutions is observed for certain physical parameters. The dual solutions are perceived for both permeable and impermeable cases and being the main agenda of the work. The execution of stability analysis proves that the first solution is undoubtedly stable than the second solution. An increase in the mass transpiration parameter leads to the uniqueness of the solution. Oppositely, as the injection parameter increase, the two solutions remain. However, no separation point is detected in this problem within the considered parameter values. The present results are decisive to the pair of alumina and copper only. Originality/value The present findings are original and can benefit other researchers particularly in the field of fluid dynamics. This study can provide a different insight of the transformation that is applicable to reduce the complexity of the boundary layer equations.

MHD hybrid nanofluid flow over a permeable stretching/shrinking sheet with thermal radiation effect

Purpose This study aims to investigate the heat transfer characteristic of the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) hybrid nanofluid over the linear stretching and shrinking surface in the presence of suction and thermal radiation effects. Design/methodology/approach Mathematical equations are transformed into pairs of self-similarity equations using similarity transformation. Boundary value problem solver (bvp4c) in MATLAB was adopted to solve the system of reduced similarity equations. In this study, the authors particularly examine the flow and heat transfer properties for different values of suction and thermal radiation parameters using single-phase nanofluid model. A comparison of the present results shows a good agreement with the published results. Findings It is noticed that the efficiency of heat transfer of hybrid nanofluid (Cu-Al2O3/H2O) is greater than the nanofluid (Cu/H2O). Furthermore, it is also found that dual solutions exist for a specific range of the stretching/shrinking parameter with different values of suction and radiation parameters. The results indicate that the skin friction coefficient and the local Nusselt number increase with suction effect. The values of the skin friction coefficient increases, but the local Nusselt number decreases for the first solution with the increasing of thermal radiation parameter. It is also observed that suction and thermal radiation widen the range of the stretching/shrinking parameter for which the solution exists. Practical implications In practice, the investigation on the flow and heat transfer of MHD hybrid nanofluid through a stretching/shrinking sheet with suction and thermal radiation effects is very important and useful. The problems related to hybrid nanofluid has numerous real-life and industrial applications, for example microfluidics, manufacturing, transportation, military and biomedical, etc. Originality/value In specific, this study focused on increasing thermal conductivity using a hybrid nanofluid mathematical model. This paper is able to obtain the dual solutions. To the best of author’s knowledge, this study is new and there is no previous published work similar to present study.

Flow and heat transfer of hybrid nanofluid over a permeable shrinking cylinder with Joule heating: A comparative analysis

The objectives of the present study are (i) to observe the duality of solutions, and (ii) to investigate the flow and heat transfer of the hybrid nanofluid past a shrinking cylinder in the appearance of Joule heating. The single phase nanofluid model with modified thermophysical properties are used for the mathematical model. The similarity transformation simplifies the model (PDEs) into similarity (ordinary) differential equations. bvp4c solver is used to compute the reduced equations. For the validation part, the analytical solution is developed using an exact analytical method and compared with the numerical values for several cases. First and second solutions are observable for the shrinking cylinder case only if suction parameter is applied. Meanwhile, only the first solution is found to be stable from the stability analysis. The application of high suction strength make the reduced heat transfer rate is lower for hybrid nanofluid (Cu-Al2O3/water) than alumina-water nanofluid but, opposite result is found for the skin friction coefficient. The addition of curvature parameter (flat plate to cylinder) can quicken the separation process of boundary layer. This results are conclusive to the pair of alumina and copper only.

Significance of Joule heating and viscous heating on heat transport of MoS2–Ag hybrid nanofluid past an isothermal wedge

The problem of flow and heat transport of magneto-composite nanofluid over an isothermal wedge has not been addressed in the literature up to yet. Thus, this article features the laminar transport of Newtonian composite nanomaterial (C2H6O2–H2O hybrid base liquid + MoS2–Ag hybrid nanoparticles) in the presence of exponential space- and temperature-dependent heat source past an isothermal wedge. An incompressible and electrically conducting fluid is assumed. The effects of Joule heating and viscous heating are also accounted. Single-phase nanofluid model and boundary layer approximation are utilized to govern the equations of flow and heat transport phenomena. The solution of the simplified coupled system of dimensionless constraints is obtained by using the Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg method based on the shooting technique. Detailed analysis of active quantities of interest has been presented and discussed. The interesting physical quantities (friction factors and Nusselt number) are estimated. Also, the slope of the data point is calculated in order to estimate the amount of decrease/increase in physical quantities.

Entropy formation analysis of MHD boundary layer flow of nanofluid over a porous shrinking wall

In the current paper, we investigate the entropy analysis of MHD boundary layer flow of copper (Cu)-water based nanofluid along with the porous shrinking wall. Heat transfer analysis is also taken into account with the thermal radiation effects. The single phase nanofluid model is used for the analysis of the effective thermal conductivity. Mathematical modeling is performed to change the physical system into a set of mathematical equations which are further simplified by using suitable variables. Exact solutions for the velocity and temperature profiles are computed and interpreted for diverse physical of interest. It is depicted that by enhancing the magnitude of solid volume fraction and velocity slip parameter of nanoparticles the velocity profile is increased. The results indicate an increment in the Hartman number increases the temperature and thermal boundary layer thickness. It is observed that the entropy generation profile is enhanced by increasing the value of Brinkman number and Reynolds number. The irreversibility parameter is decreasing function of Brinkman number.

Non-equilibrium natural convection in a differentially-heated nanofluid cavity partially filled with a porous medium

Purpose This study aims to numerically analyze natural convection of alumina-water nanofluid in a differentially-heated square cavity partially filled with a heat-generating porous medium. A single-phase nanofluid model with experimental correlations for the nanofluid viscosity and thermal conductivity has been considered for the description of the nanoparticles transport effect in the present study. Local thermal non-equilibrium approach for the porous layer with the Brinkman-extended Darcy model has been used. Design/methodology/approach Dimensionless governing equations formulated using stream function, vorticity and temperature have been solved by the finite difference method. The effects of the Rayleigh number, Ostrogradsky number, Nield number and nanoparticles volume fraction on nanofluid flow, heat and mass transfer have been analyzed. Findings It has been revealed that the dimensionless heat transfer coefficient at the fluid/solid matrix interface can be a very good control parameter for the convective flow and heat transfer intensity. The present results are original and new for the study of non-equilibrium natural convection in a differentially-heated nanofluid cavity partially filled with a porous medium. Originality/value The results of this paper are new and original with many practical applications of nanofluids in the modern industry.

Flow and heat transfer of couple stress nanofluid sandwiched between viscous fluids

PurposeThe purpose of this study is a numerical analysis of steady-state heat transfer behavior of couple-stress nanofluid sandwiched between viscous fluids. It should be noted that this research deals with the development of a cooling system for the electronic devices.Design/methodology/approachStokes model is used to define the couple-stress fluid and the single-phase nanofluid model is used to define the nanofluid transport processes. The fluids in all regions are assumed to be incompressible, immiscible and the transport properties in all the three layers are assumed to be constant. The governing coupled linear ordinary differential equations are made dimensionless by using appropriate fundamental quantities. The exact solutions obtained for the velocity and temperature fields are evaluated numerically for various model parameters.FindingsThe results are demonstrated using different types of nanoparticles such as copper, silver, silicon oxide (SiO2), titanium oxide (TiO2) and diamond. The investigations are carried out using copper–water nanofluid for different values of couple-stress parameter a with a range of 0 = a = 12, solid volume fraction ϕ with a range of 0.0 ≤ ϕ ≤ 0.05, Eckert number Ec with a range of 0.001 ≤ Ec ≤ 6 and Prandtl number Pr with a range of 0.001 ≤ Pr ≤ 6. It was found that the Nusselt number increases by increasing the couple stress parameter, Eckert number and Prandtl number and it decreases with a growth of the solid volume fraction parameter. It was also observed that using SiO2–water nanofluid, the optimal Nusselt number is obtained. Further, using copper, silver, diamond and TiO2, nanoparticles and water as a base fluid does not show any significant changes in the rate of heat transfer. The couple-stress parameter enhances the velocity and temperature fields whereas the solid volume fraction suppresses the flow field for both Newtonian and couple-stress fluid.Originality/valueThe originality of this work is to analyze the heat transfer behavior of couple-stress nanofluid sandwiched between viscous fluids. The results would benefit scientists and engineers to become familiar with the analysis of convective heat transfer and flow structures in nanofluids and the way to predict the heat transfer rate in advanced technical systems, in industrial sectors including transportation, power generation, chemical sectors, electronics, etc.