Thermodynamic analysis on the SWCNT-EG-based nanofluid flow in a squeezing horizontal channel under the influence of thermal radiation and viscous dissipation

Abstract

The current study theoretically examines the behaviour of heat transfer in the ethylene glycol (EG)-based nanofluid containing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) flow that is squeezed between a pair of horizontal parallel plates. Due to its superior thermal conductivity, EG-based SWCNT nanofluids are well-suited for use in high-performance cooling systems, including automotive radiators, electronic thermal management, industrial refrigeration, and heat exchangers across power generation, HVAC, and chemical processing applications. This study further focuses on analysing the thermal radiation effect on the thermodynamic properties of the viscous dissipated nanofluid flow. Employing suitable similarity transformations, the equations that govern flow and energy arising in the study are converted into a set of non-linear ordinary differential equations (ODEs), after which an approximate analytic solution is achieved using the homotopy perturbation method (HPM). This study mainly emphasizes on investigating the influence of distinct pertinent physical parameters on the velocity distribution curves, skin friction coefficient, temperature fields, and heat transfer rate. The HPM results are further compared with those of the classical finite difference method (FDM). It is evident from the current study that an elevation in the squeezing parameter and the Eckert number enhances the Nusselt number and temporal distribution curve. However, an elevation in the radiation parameter decreases the Nusselt number.