Thermal radiation, Soret and Dufour effects on MHD mixed convective Maxwell hybrid nanofluid flow under porous medium: a numerical study

Purpose

Scientists have been conducting trials to find ways to reduce fuel consumption and enhance heat transfer rates to make heating systems more efficient and cheaper. Adding solid nanoparticles to conventional liquids may greatly improve their thermal conductivity, according to the available evidence. This study aims to examine the influence of external magnetic flux on the flow of a mixed convective Maxwell hybrid non-Newtonian nanofluid over a linearly extending porous flat plate. The investigation considers the effects of thermal radiation, Dufour and Soret.

Design/methodology/approach

The mathematical model is formulated based on the fundamental assumptions of mass, energy and momentum conservation. The implicit models are epitomized by a set of interconnected nonlinear partial differential equations, which include a suitable and comparable adjustment. The numerical solution to these equations is assessed for approximate convergence by the Runge−Kutta−Fehlberg method based on the shooting technique embedded with the MATLAB software.

Findings

The findings are presented through graphical representations, offering a visual exploration of the effects of various dynamic parameters on the flow field. These parameters encompass a wide range of factors, including radiation, thermal and Brownian diffusion parameters, Eckert, Lewis and Soret numbers, magnetic parameters, Maxwell fluid parameters, Darcy numbers, thermal and solutal buoyancy factors, Dufour and Prandtl numbers. Notably, the authors observed that nanoparticles with a spherical shape exerted a significant influence on the stream function, highlighting the importance of nanoparticle geometry in fluid dynamics. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that temperature profiles of nanomaterials were notably affected by their shape factor, while concentration profiles exhibited an opposite trend, providing valuable insights into the behavior of nanofluids in porous media.

Originality/value

A distinctive aspect of the research lies in its novel exploration of the impact of external magnetic flux on the flow of a mixed convective Maxwell hybrid non-Newtonian nanofluid over a linearly extending porous flat plate. By considering variables such as solar radiation, external magnetic flux, thermal and Brownian diffusion parameters and nanoparticle shape factor, the authors ventured into uncharted territory within the realm of fluid dynamics. These variables, despite their significant relevance, have not been extensively studied in previous research, thus underscoring the originality and value of the authors’ contribution to the field.