Study on nonlinear convective flow of hybrid nanofluids in an annulus

Abstract

In this modern fluid field technology, hybrid nanofluids are of great interest to researchers due to their improved thermal properties which provide a superior improvement in heat transfer compared to nanofluids. The hybrid nanofluid flow in an annular geometry finds its relevance in engineering and material manufacturing processes such as heat exchangers, nuclear power plants, hot rolling, and heat storage systems due to their high heat transport rate. Since these devices are operated at moderate and very high temperatures adopting linear Boussinesq approximation becomes inappropriate. Owing to this, the present research is devoted to the study of flow, heat, and mass transport characteristics of hybrid nanofluid in an annulus including the effects of radial/transversal magnetic field, thermal radiation, exponential space-related heat source, uniform/non-uniform heat source and variable thermophysical properties under the nonlinear Boussinesq approximation. The fundamental equations are obtained from the laws of conservation of mass, momentum, and energy. The dimensionless governing nonlinear equations are treated analytically/numerically. Further, the sensitivity analysis using response surface methodology (RSM) is performed to enhance the understanding of heat and mass transport behavior. The significance of various flow parameters (involving in the problem) on the flow structure, thermal model, concentration field, heat, and mass transport rate are analysed through 2D/3D-surface plots and discussed quantitatively.