Numerical exploration of thermal dispersion effect on non-Darcian flow of nanofluid along convectively heated truncated cone

Abstract

The present article examines the mixed convective flow of a nanofluid across a truncated cone immersed in a porous media, considering the convective thermal condition (CTC) and the thermal dispersion (TD) effect. The mathematical framework utilized in this investigation is based on Bungiorno’s nanofluid model. Given the intricacy of this flow problem, similar solutions are not applicable. So, non-similar transformations are chosen to non-dimensionalize the equations that govern the nanofluid flow. An efficient Chebyshev spectral collocation method (CSCM) is deployed post-local linearization to tackle the resultant linearized partial differential equations system. By evaluating residual norms, the applied numerical technique CSCM is demonstrated in terms of validity and convergence. The study also examines the impact of flow-influenced factors on temperature, velocity, volume fraction, heat transfer rate, nanoparticle mass transfer rate, streamlines, and isotherms. The heat transfer rate increases with larger thermal dispersion factors under assisting and opposing flow circumstances. This numerical study helps to understand how flow dynamics and thermal behaviour around the truncated cone are affected under the influence of nanofluid flow for different flow conditions. A detailed discussion of the present problems provides guidelines for future experimental and computational research to develop an improved system design when applied to heat and mass transfer industries.