Effect of nonlinear thermal radiation on double-diffusive mixed convection boundary layer flow of viscoelastic nanofluid over a stretching sheet

• Published in: International journal of mechanical and materials engineering 2017-08, Vol.12 (1), p.1-18, Article 18
• Main Authors: Ganesh Kumar, K., Gireesha, B. J., Manjunatha, S., Rudraswamy, N. G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Boundary layer flow; Boundary layer stability; Brownian motion; Computational fluid dynamics; Concentration (composition); Convection; Double diffusion; Engineering; Fluid flow; Friction factor; Mathematical models; Mechanical Engineering; Mixed convection; Nanofluid; Nanofluids; Nonlinear thermal radiation; Original Paper; Stretching; Structural Materials; Theoretical and Applied Mechanics; Thermal boundary layer; Thermal radiation; Thermophoresis; Viscoelastic fluid; Viscoelasticity; Viscosity
• ISSN: 1823-0334; 2198-2791
• DOI: 10.1186/s40712-017-0083-5

Background The present exploration deliberates the effect of nonlinear thermal radiation on double diffusive free convective boundary layer flow of a viscoelastic nanofluid over a stretching sheet. Fluid is assumed to be electrically conducting in the presence of applied magnetic field. In this model, the Brownian motion and thermophoresis are classified as the main mechanisms which are responsible for the enhancement of convection features of the nanofluid. Entire different concept of nonlinear thermal radiation is utilized in the heat transfer process. Methods Appropriate similarity transformations reduce the nonlinear partial differential system to ordinary differential system which is then solved numerically by using the Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg method with the help of shooting technique. Validation of the current method is proved by having compared with the preexisting results with limiting solution. Results The effect of pertinent parameters on the velocity, temperature, solute concentration and nano particles concentration profiles are depicted graphically with some relevant discussion and tabulated result. Conclusions It is found that the effect of nanoparticle volume fraction and nonlinear thermal radiation stabilizes the thermal boundary layer growth. Also it was found that as the Brownian motion parameter increases, the local Nusselt number decreases, while the local friction factor coefficient and local Sherwood number increase.