Influence of magnetic field-dependent viscosity on Casson-based nanofluid boundary layers: A comprehensive analysis using Lie group and spectral quasi-linearization method.

This study examines the effects of magnetic-field-dependent (MFD) viscosity on the boundary layer flow of a non-Newtonian sodium alginate-based Fe3O4 nanofluid over an impermeable stretching surface. The non-Newtonian Casson and homogeneous nanofluid models are utilized to derive the governing flow and heat transfer equations. Applying Lie group transformations to dimensional partial differential equations yields nondimensional ordinary differential equations, which are then numerically solved using the spectral quasi-linearization technique. The analysis primarily focuses on the impacts of the MFD viscosity parameter, nanoparticle volume fraction of Fe3O4, and magnetic parameters on the flow and heat transfer characteristics. The local skin friction and heat transfer rate behaviors influenced by viscosity changes due to the magnetic field are discussed. It is found that MFD viscosity significantly impacts flow and thermal energies, enhancing skin friction coefficients and reducing Nusselt numbers in the boundary layer region.

Analysis of natural convection for a Casson-based multiwall carbon nanotube nanofluid in a partially heated wavy enclosure with a circular obstacle in the presence of thermal radiation.

INTRODUCTION: Nanofluids are considered a better alternative to conventional fluids in many industrial situations and unfolding new opportunities for various applications owing to the optical and thermal properties of additive nanosized materials. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the thermal and hydraulic characteristics of a Casson-based (sodium alginate) multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanofluid were computationally investigated inside a wavy square enclosure containing a circular-shaped obstacle. The square enclosure comprised two cooled vertical walls and a wavy adiabatic top wall. The central part of the bottom wall comprised a heated wavy structure, and the remaining parts exhibited a flat and adiabatic structure. METHODS: The Navier-Stokes (N-S) equations and boundary conditions were established using the non-Newtonian Casson fluid model and Rosseland thermal radiation. The present problem was numerically simulated using the Galerkin finite element method for three types of obstacles, namely, adiabatic, hot, and cold. The impacts of Casson parameter (0.001 ≤ ß ≤ 0.1), Rayleigh number (103 ≤ Ra ≤ 106), nanoparticle volume fraction (0.01 ≤ φ ≤ 0.1) and radiation parameter (1 ≤ Rd ≤ 4) are analysed. A numerical code validation was performed using the available benchmark results. RESULTS: The characteristics of the convective radiation heat transport were clearly analyzed through the stream function and isotherm plots. For all types of obstacles, the mean Nusselt number along the heated wavy wall increased with the Casson parameter, MWCNT volume fraction, Rayleigh number, and radiation parameter. CONCLUSION: The heat and flow characteristics of a Casson-based MWCNT nanofluid inside a wavy square enclosure were investigated. The mean Nusselt number was higher (lower) in the presence of cold (hot) obstacles.