MHD Chemically Reacting and Radiating Nanofluid Flow over a Vertical Cone Embedded in a Porous Medium with Variable Properties

Abstract: In this study, we examine the combined effects of thermal radiation, chemical reaction on MHD hydromagnetic boundary layer flow over a vertical cone filled with nanofluid saturated porous medium under variable properties. The governing flow, heat and mass transfer equations are transformed into ordinary differential equations using similarity variables and are solved numerically by a Galerkin Finite element method. Numerical results are obtained for dimensionless velocity, temperature, nanoparticle volume fraction, as well as the skin friction, local Nusselt and Sherwood number for the different values of the pertinent parameters entered into the problem. The effects of various controlling parameters on these quantities are investigated. Pertinent results are presented graphically and discussed quantitatively. The present results are compared with existing results and found to be good agreement. It is found that the temperature of the fluid remarkably enhances with the rising values of Brownian motion parameter (Nb).

Keywords: MHD; Nanofluid; Vertical cone; Variable properties; Chemical reaction; Thermal radiation.

INTRODUCTION n recent years the field of science and technology, nanotechnology has become more popular because of its specific application to the arenas of electronics, fuel cells, space, fuels, better air quality, batteries, solar cells, medicine, cleaner water, chemical sensors and sporting goods. In the understanding of all these features, there is a vital field acknowledged as the nanofluid, which is fundamentally a homogenous mixture of the base fluid and nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are the particles and are of 1-100 nm in size. The convectional heat transfer fluids like water, oil, kerosene and ethylene glycol have poor heat transfer capabilities due to their low thermal conductivity. To improve the thermal conductivity of these fluids nano/micro-sized materials are suspended in liquids. The thermal conductivity of the metals is three times higher than the general fluids, so it is desirable to combine the two substances. Due to the nanofluid thermal enhancement, performance, applications and benefits in several important arenas, the nanofluid has contributed significantly well in the field of microfluidics, manufacturing, microelectronics, advanced nuclear systems, polymer technology, transportation, medical, saving in energy
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