Magneto-thermal convection and entropy production of hybrid nanofluid in an inclined chamber having a solid block

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the thermal transmission and entropy generation of hybrid nanofluid filled containers with solid body inside. The solid body is seen as being both isothermal and capable of producing heat. A time-dependent non-linear partial differential equation is used to represent the transfer of heat through a solid body. The current study’s objective is to investigate the key properties of nanoparticles, external forces and particular attention paid to the impact of hybrid nanoparticles on entropy formation. This investigation is useful for researchers studying in the area of cavity flows to know features of the flow structures and nature of hybrid nanofluid characteristics. In addition, a detailed entropy generation analysis has been performed to highlight possible regimes with minimal entropy generation rates. Hybrid nanofluid has been proven to have useful qualities, making it an attractive coolant for an electrical device. The findings would help scientists and engineers better understand how to analyse convective heat transmission and how to forecast better heat transfer rates in cutting-edge technological systems used in industries such as heat transportation, power generation, chemical production and passive cooling systems for electronic devices.

Design/methodology/approach

Thermal transmission and entropy generation of hybrid nanofluid are analysed within the enclosure. The domain of interest is a square chamber of size L, including a square solid block. The solid body is considered to be isothermal and generating heat. The flow driven by temperature gradient in the cavity is two-dimensional. The governing equations, formulated in dimensionless primitive variables with corresponding initial and boundary conditions, are worked out by using the finite volume technique with the SIMPLE algorithm on a uniformly staggered mesh. QUICK and central difference schemes were used to handle convective and diffusive elements. In-house code is developed using FORTRAN programming to visualize the isotherms, streamlines, heatlines and entropy contours, which are handled by Tecplot software. The influence of nanoparticles volume fraction, heat generation factor, external magnetic forces and an irreversibility ratio on energy transport and flow patterns is examined.

Findings

The results show that the hybrid nanoparticles concentration augments the thermal transmission and the entropy production increases also while the augmentation of temperature difference results in a diminution of entropy production. Finally, magnetic force has the significant impact on heat transfer, isotherms, streamlines and entropy. It has been observed that the external magnetic force plays a good role in thermal regulations.

Research limitations/implications

Hybrid nanofluid is a desirable coolant for an electrical device. Various nanoparticles and their combinations can be analysed. Ferro-copper hybrid nanofluid considered with the help of prevailing literature review. The research would benefit scientists and engineers by improving their comprehension of how to analyses convective heat transmission and forecast more accurate heat transfer rates in various fields.

Practical implications

Due to its helpful characteristics, ferrous-copper hybrid nanofluid is a desirable coolant for an electrical device. The research would benefit scientists and engineers by improving their comprehension of how to analyse convective heat transmission and forecast more accurate heat transfer rates in cutting-edge technological systems used in sectors like thermal transportation, cooling systems for electronic devices, etc.

Social implications

Entropy generation is used for an evaluation of the system’s performance, which is an indicator of optimal design. Hence, in recent times, it does a good engineering sense to draw attention to irreversibility under magnetic force, and it has an indispensable impact on investigation of electronic devices.

Originality/value

An efficient numerical technique has been developed to solve this problem. The originality of this work is to analyse convective energy transport and entropy generation in a chamber with internal block, which is capable of maintaining heat and producing heat. Effects of irreversibility ratio are scrutinized for the first time. Analysis of convective heat transfer and entropy production in an enclosure with internal isothermal/heat generating blocks gives the way to predict enhanced heat transfer rate and avoid the failure of advanced technical systems in industrial sectors.

Citation

Sivaraj, P. and Chinnasamy, S. (2024), "Magneto-thermal convection and entropy production of hybrid nanofluid in an inclined chamber having a solid block", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 34 No. 2, pp. 773-808. https://doi.org/10.1108/HFF-05-2023-0279