A comparative study of Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ nanofluid flow over a wedge with non-linear thermal radiation

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of chemical reaction and thermal radiation on mixed convection flow, heat and mass transfer characteristics of nanofluid through a wedge occupied with water–TiO₂ and water–Al₂O₃ made nanofluid by considering velocity, temperature and concentration slip conditions in present investigation.

Design/methodology/approach

Using acceptable similarity transformations, the prevailing partial differential equations have been altered into non-linear ordinary differential equations and are demonstrated by the diverse thermophysical parameters. The mathematical model is solved numerically by implementing Galarkin finite element method and the outcomes are shown in tables and graphs.

Findings

The temperature and concentration fields impede as magnetic field parameter improves in both water–Al₂O₃ and water–TiO₂ nanofluid. While there is contradiction in the velocity field as the values of magnetic field parameter rises in both nanofluids. The non-dimensional velocity rate, rate of temperature and rate of concentration rise with improved values of Weissenberg number.

Originality/value

Nanofluid flows past wedge-shaped geometries have gained much consideration because of their extensive range of applications in engineering and science, such as, magnetohydrodynamics, crude oil extraction, heat exchangers, aerodynamics and geothermal systems. Virtually, these types of nanofluid flows happen in ground water pollution, aerodynamics, retrieval of oil, packed bed reactors and geothermal industries.

Citation

Sreedevi, P., Reddy, P.S. and Sheremet, M. (2020), "A comparative study of Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ nanofluid flow over a wedge with non-linear thermal radiation", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 30 No. 3, pp. 1291-1317. https://doi.org/10.1108/HFF-05-2019-0434