Search Results (74)

Installation of flat solar collectors (FSCs) has been increasing due to the zero cost of renewable energy. However, the performance of this equipment is limited by the area, the material and the thermophysical properties of the working fluid. To improve the properties of the fluid, metal and metal oxide nanoparticles have mainly been used. This paper presents the performance assessment of the FSCs using simple and hybrid carbon nanofluids of low thermal capacity. Energy and mass balance modeling was performed for this study. A parametric analysis was conducted to examine the impact of key variables on the performance of the solar collectors using simple graphite and fullerene nanofluids, as well as hybrid metal–oxide–carbon nanofluids. From the results of heat transfer in FSCs, using graphite and fullerene nanofluids, it can be concluded that adding these nanoparticles improves the convection coefficient by 40% and 30%, respectively, with 10% nanoparticles. The graphite and fullerene nanoparticles can enhance the efficiency of FSCs by 2% and 1.5% more than base fluid. As the decrease in efficiency using fullerene with magnesium oxide is less than 0.2%, fullerene hybrid nanofluids could still be used in FSCs. Full article

This study investigates the potential of a hybrid nanofluid composed of MoS₂ and ZnO nanoparticles dispersed in engine oil, aiming to enhance the properties of a lubricant’s chemical reaction with the Soret effect on a stretching sheet under the influence of an applied magnetic field. With the growing demand for efficient lubrication systems in various industrial applications, including automotive engines, the development of novel nanofluid-based lubricants presents a promising avenue for improving engine performance and longevity. However, the synergistic effects of hybrid nanoparticles in engine oil remain relatively unexplored. The present research addresses this gap by examining the thermal conductivity, viscosity, and wear resistance of the hybrid nanofluid, shedding light on its potential as an advanced lubrication solution. Overall, the objectives of studying the hybrid nanolubricant MoS₂ + ZnO with engine oil aim to advance the development of more efficient and durable lubrication solutions for automotive engines, contributing to improved reliability, fuel efficiency, and environmental sustainability. In the present study, the heat and mass transformation of a Casson hybrid nanofluid (MoS₂ + ZnO) based on engine oil over a stretched wall with chemical reaction and thermo-diffusion effect is analyzed. The governing nonlinear partial differential equations are simplified as ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by utilizing the relevant similarity variables. The MATLAB Bvp4c technique is used to solve the obtained linear ODE equations. The results are presented through graphs and tables for various parameters, namely, M, Q, β, Pr, Ec, Sc, Sr, Kp, Kr, and ${\varphi }_2*$ (hybrid nanolubricant parameters) and various state variables. A comparative survey of all the graphs is presented for the nanofluid (MoS₂/engine oil) and the hybrid nanofluid (MoS₂ + ZnO/engine oil). The results reveal that the velocity profile diminished against the values of M, Kp, and β, and the temperature profile rises with Ec and Q, whereas Pr decreases. The concentration profile is incremented (decremented) with the value of Sr (Sc and Kr). A comparison of the nanofluid and hybrid nanofluid suggests that the velocity f′ (η) becomes slower with the augmentation of ${\varphi }_2*$ whereas the temperature increases when ${\varphi }_2*$ = 0.6 become slower. Full article

The amalgamation of motile microbes in nanofluid (NF) is important in upsurging the thermal conductivity of various systems, including micro-fluid devices, chip-shaped micro-devices, and enzyme biosensors. The current scrutiny focuses on the bioconvective flow of magneto-Williamson NFs containing motile microbes through a horizontal circular cylinder placed in a porous medium with nonlinear mixed convection and thermal radiation, heat sink/source, variable fluid properties, activation energy with chemical and microbial reactions, and Brownian motion for both nanoparticles and microbes. The flow analysis has also been considered subject to velocity slips, suction/injection, and heat convective and zero mass flux constraints at the boundary. The governing equations have been converted to a non-dimensional form using similarity variables, and the overlapping grid-based spectral collocation technique has been executed to procure solutions numerically. The graphical interpretation of various pertinent variables in the flow profiles and physical quantities of engineering attentiveness is provided and discussed. The results reveal that NF flow is accelerated by nonlinear thermal convection, velocity slip, magnetic fields, and variable viscosity parameters but decelerated by the Williamson fluid and suction parameters. The inclusion of nonlinear thermal radiation and variable thermal conductivity helps to enhance the fluid temperature and heat transfer rate. The concentration of both nanoparticles and motile microbes is promoted by the incorporation of activation energy in the flow system. The contribution of microbial Brownian motion along with microbial reactions on flow quantities justifies the importance of these features in the dynamics of motile microbes. Full article

This study presents a mathematical investigation into the phenomena of radiative heat with an unsteady MHD electrically conducting boundary layer of chemically reactive Casson nanofluid flow due to a pored stretchable sheet immersed in a porous medium in the presence of heat generation, thermophoretic force, and Brownian motion. The surface is assumed to be not flat, and has variable thickness. The magnetic field is time-dependent, and the chemical reaction coefficient is inversely varied with the distance. The nanofluid’s velocity, heat, and concentration at the surface are nonlinearly varied. A similarity transformation is introduced, and the controlling equations are converted into nondimensional forms involving many significant physical factors. The transformed forms are analyzed numerically using a computational method based on the finite difference scheme and Newton’s linearization procedure. The impact of the involved physical parameters is performed in graphical and tabular forms. Some special cases of the current work are compared with published studies, and an excellent agreement is obtained. The main results of the present work indicate that the higher values of the Casson parameter cause an increase in both the shear stress and heat flux, but a decrease in the mass flux. Also, it is noted that the chemical reaction, the nanoparticles’ volume, and the permeability factor enhance the effect the of Casson parameter on both the shear stress and heat flux, while the variable thickness and thermal radiation field reduce it; on the other hand, the variable thickness and nanoparticles’ volume enforce the influence of the Casson parameter on mass flux, but thermal radiation, the permeability factor, and chemical reaction decrease it. The present study has important applications in mechanical engineering and natural sciences. In addition, it has significant applications in devices used for blood transfusion, dialysis and cancer therapy. Full article

This investigation is related to this study of entropy generation during Carreau nanofluid flow under variable thermal conductivity conditions. The heat and mass transfer phenomena are observed in the presence of thermal radiation and activation energy. The flow is induced by a porous stretching surface. Appropriate variables are used in order to simplify the problem into dimensionless form. The numerical simulations are performed by using the shooting technique. The physical aspects of the problem in view of different flow parameters are reported. It is observed that consideration of variable fluid thermal conductivity enhances heat transfer. An enhancement in heat and mass transfer phenomena is observed with increasing the Weissenberg number. Moreover, entropy generation increases with Weissenberg and Brinkman numbers. Current results present applications in thermal processes, heat exchangers, energy systems, combustion and engine design, chemical processes, refrigeration systems, etc. Full article

Nanotechnology is well-known for its versatile and general thermal transport disciplines, which are used in semiconductors, spacecraft, bioengineering, functional electronics, and biosensors. As a result, process optimization has attracted the interest of scientists and technologists. The main aim of the current analysis is to explore the enhancement of energy/heat transfer via the dispersion of cylindrical-shaped nanoparticles of alumina and copper in ethylene glycol as a base fluid using a non-Newtonian Maxwell fluid model. In the current study, the effects of solar radiation, plate suction, and magnetohydrodynamics on a Maxwell hybrid nanofluid are encountered. The flow is induced by linearly stretching a sheet angled at $\xi =\pi /6$, embedded in a porous space. The proposed problem is converted into a mathematical structure in terms of partial differential equations and then reduced to ordinary differential equations by using appropriate similarity variables. In the similarity solution, all the curves for the velocity field and temperature distribution remain similar, which means that the symmetry between the graphs for the velocity and temperature remains the same. Therefore, there is a strong correlation between similarity variables and symmetry. The obtained model, in terms of ordinary differential equations, is solved using the built-in numerical solver bvp4c. It is concluded that more nanoparticles in a fluid can make it heat up faster, as they are typically better at conducting heat than the fluid itself. This means that heat is transferred more quickly, raising the temperature of the fluid. However, more nanoparticles can also slow the flow speed of the fluid to control the boundary layer thickness. The temperature field is enhanced by increasing the solar radiation parameter, the magnetic field parameter, and the porous medium parameter at an angle of$\xi =\pi /6$, which serves the purpose of including radiation and the Lorentz force. The velocity field is decreased by increasing the values of the buoyancy parameter and the suction parameter effects at an angle of$\xi =\pi /6$. The current study can be used in the improvement of the thermal efficiency of nanotechnological devices and in renewable energy sources to save energy in the energy sector. The present results are compared with the published ones, and it is concluded that there is excellent agreement between them, which endorses the validity and accuracy of the current study. Full article

The implications of nonlinear thermal radiation on a Cu–water nanofluid flow with varying viscosity characteristics and convective boundary conditions are investigated numerically in this article. The nonlinear model takes the combined effects of Joule dissipation and Ohmic heating into consideration. The Spectral Local Linearization Method (SLLM) is used to address the nonlinear governing model. The numerical investigation’s findings were conducted and compared with the existing study. In Cu–water nanofluid flows with variable viscosity and convective boundary conditions, nonlinear thermal radiation plays an important role, as this work insightfully demonstrates. Pertinent results for velocity, temperature, skin friction, and heat transfer rate are displayed graphically and discussed quantitatively with respect to various parameters embedded in the model. The results revealed that the Cu–water thermal distribution lessens as the nanoparticle volume fraction upsurges. The outcomes of this study have potential applications in industrial systems such as power plants, cooling systems, and climate control systems. Full article

Two-phase Darcy’s law is a well-known mathematical model used in the petrochemical industry. It predicts the fluid flow in reservoirs and can be used to optimize oil production using recent technology. Indeed, various models have been proposed for predicting oil recovery using injected nanofluids (NFs). Among them, numerical modeling is attracting the attention of scientists and engineers owing to its ability to modify the thermophysical properties of NFs such as density, viscosity, and thermal conductivity. Herein, a new model for simulating NF injection into a 3D porous media for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is investigated. This model has been developed for its ability to predict oil recovery across a wide range of temperatures and volume fractions (VFs). For the first time, the model can examine the changes and effects of thermophysical properties on the EOR process based on empirical correlations depending on two variables, VF and inlet temperature. The governing equations obtained from Darcy’s law, mass conservation, concentration, and energy equations were numerically evaluated using a time-dependent finite-element method. The findings indicated that optimizing the temperature and VF could significantly improve the thermophysical properties of the EOR process. We observed that increasing the inlet temperature (353.15 K) and volume fraction (4%) resulted in better oil displacement, improved sweep efficiency, and enhanced mobility of the NF. The oil recovery decreased when the VF (>4%) and temperature exceeded 353.15 K. Remarkably, the optimal VF and inlet temperature for changing the thermophysical properties increased the oil production by 30%. Full article

Nanofluid (NF) pool boiling experiments have been conducted widely in the past two decades to study and understand how nanoparticles (NP) affect boiling heat transfer and critical heat flux (CHF). However, the physical mechanisms related to the improvements in CHF in NF pool boiling are still not conclusive due to the coupling effects of the surface characteristics and the complexity of the experimental data. In addition, the current models for pool boiling CHF prediction, which consider surface microstructure characteristics, show limited agreement with the experimental data and do not represent NF pool boiling CHF. In this scenario, artificial intelligence tools, such as machine learning (ML) regressor models, are a very promising means of solving this nonlinear problem. This study focuses on creating a new model to provide more accurate NF pool boiling CHF predictions based on pressure, substrate thermal effusivity, and NP size, concentration, and effusivity. Three ML models (supporting vector regressor—SVR, multi-layer perceptron—MLP, and random forest—RF) were constructed and showed good agreement with an experimental database built from the literature, with MLP presenting the highest mean R² score and the lowest variability. A systematic methodology for optimizing the ML models is proposed in this work. Full article

The thermal conductivity and stability of any nanofluid are essential thermophysical properties. These properties are affected by many parameters, such as the nanoparticles, the base fluid, the surfactant, and the sonication time used for mixing. In this study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were selected as additive particles, and the remaining variables were tested to reach the most suitable nanofluid that can be used to cool photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) systems operating in the harsh summer conditions of the city of Baghdad. Among the tested base fluids, water was chosen, although ethylene glycol (EG), propylene glycol (PG), and heat transfer oil (HTO) were available. The novelty of the current study contains the optimization of nanofluid preparation time to improve MWCNTs’ PVT performance with different surfactants (CTAB, SDS, and SDBS) and base fluids (water, EG, PG, and oil). When 1% MWCNT mass fraction was added, the thermal conductivity (TC) of all tested fluids increased, and the water + nano-MWCNT advanced all TC (EG, PG, and oil) by 119.5%, 308%, and 210%, respectively. The aqueous nanofluids’ stability also exceeded the EG, PG, and oil at the mass fraction of 0.5% MWCNTs by 11.6%, 20.3%, and 16.66%, respectively. A nanofluid consisting of 0.5% MWCNTs, water (base fluid), and CTAB (surfactant) was selected with a sonication time of three and quarter hours, considering that these preparation conditions were practically the best. This fluid was circulated in an installed outdoor, weather-exposed PVT system. Experiments were carried out in the harsh weather conditions of Baghdad, Iraq, to test the effectiveness of the PVT system and the nanofluid. The nanofluid-cooled system achieved an electrical efficiency increase of 88.85% and 44% compared to standalone PV and water-cooled PVT systems, respectively. Additionally, its thermal efficiency was about 20% higher than that of a water-cooled PVT system. With the effect of the high temperature of the PV panel (at noon), the electrical efficiency of the systems was decreased, and the least affected was the nanofluid-cooled PVT system. The thermal efficiency of the nanofluid-cooled PVT system was also increased under these conditions. This success confirms that the prepared nanofluid cooling of the PVT system approach can be used in the severe weather of the city of Baghdad. Full article

Hybrid nanofluids may exhibit higher thermal conductivity, chemical stability, mechanical resistance and physical strength compared to regular nanofluids. Our aim in this study is to investigate the flow of a water-based alumina-copper hybrid nanofluid in an inclined cylinder with the impact of buoyancy force and a magnetic field. The governing partial differential equations (PDEs) are transformed into a set of similarity ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using a dimensionless set of variables, and then solved numerically using the bvp4c package from MATLAB software. Two solutions exist for both buoyancy opposing (λ < 0) and assisting (λ > 0) flows, whereas a unique solution is found when the buoyancy force is absent (λ = 0). In addition, the impacts of the dimensionless parameters, such as curvature parameter, volume fraction of nanoparticles, inclination angle, mixed convention parameter, and magnetic parameter are analyzed. The results of this study compare well with previously published results. Compared to pure base fluid and regular nanofluid, hybrid nanofluid reduces drag and transfers heat more efficiently. Full article

The rapid development of nanotechnology in our emerging industries has drawn the interest of numerous researchers and scientists, especially in experimental and numerical studies. Therefore, the present analytical study will help reduce time and costs and validate the numerical study. However, the analytical research of carbon nanotubes with Casson fluid in a channel is still limited. Therefore, the current analytical study inspected the consequences of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanoparticles on the heat and mass transfer of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) Casson nanofluid flow induced by a moving vertical plate with a porous region inside an asymmetrical channel. Dimensional governing equations are used for the modelling, which is then expressed in a dimensionless form by employing dimensionless variables. The analytical solutions for the velocity, temperature, and concentration are tackled using the Laplace transform technique. The temperature and velocity are significantly enhanced when increasing the nanoparticle volume fraction. This is due to the outstanding characteristic of nanofluid thermal conductivity, which results in an efficient heat transfer. This result has the potential to be applied to various nanofluid cooling technologies. Since the solutions are determined in an analytical form, this study could be used as a reference for other numerical and experimental works and a guide for several industries. Full article

Nanofluids are engineered colloidal suspensions of nanoparticles in the base fluids. At very low particle concentration, nanofluids have a much higher and strongly temperature-dependent thermal conductivity, which enables them to enhance the performance of machining applications such as the cooling and lubrication of the cutting zone during any machining process, the vehicle’s braking system, enhanced oil recovery (EOR), engine oil, and the drilling process of crude oil. In the current work, the density is assumed as an exponential function of temperature due to larger temperature differences. The main focus of this mechanism is the variable density effects on heat and mass characteristics of nanoparticles across the stretching porous sheet with thermophoresis and Brownian motion to reduce excessive heating in high-temperature systems. This is the first temperature-dependent density problem of nanofluid across the stretching surface. The coupled partial differential equations (PDEs) of the present nanofluid mechanism are changed into nonlinear coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs) with defined stream functions and similarity variables for smooth algorithm and integration. The changed ODEs are again converted in a similar form for numerical outcomes by applying the Keller Box approach. The numerical outcomes are deduced in graphs and tabular form with the help of the MATLAB (R2013a created by MathWorks, Natick, MA, USA) program. In this phenomenon, the velocity, temperature, and concentration profile, along with their slopes, have been plotted for various parameters pertaining to the current issue. The range of parameters has been selected according to the Prandtl number $0.07\le Pr\le 70.0$ and buoyancy parameter $0<\lambda <\infty$, respectively. The novelty of the current work is its use of nanoparticle fraction along the porous stretching sheet with temperature-dependent density effects for the improvement of lubrication and cooling for any machining process and to reduce friction between tool and work piece in the cutting zone by using nanofluid. Moreover, nanoparticles can also be adsorbed on the oil/water surface, which alters the oil/water interfacial tension, resulting in the formation of emulsions. Full article

Research into the effects of different parameters on flow phenomena is necessary due to the wide range of potential applications of non-Newtonian boundary layer nanofluid flow, including but not limited to production industries, polymer processing, compression, power generation, lubrication systems, food manufacturing, and air conditioning. Because of this impetus, we investigated non-Newtonian fluid flow regimes from the perspectives of both heat and mass transfer aspects. In this study, heat transfer of electrical MHD non-Newtonian flow of Casson nanofluid over the flat plate is investigated under the effects of variable thermal conductivity and mass diffusivity. Emerging problems occur as nonlinear partial differential equations (NPDEs) in opposition to the conservation laws of mass, momentum, heat, and species transportation. The shown problem can be recast as a set of ordinary differential equations by making the necessary changes. A modified finite element method is adopted to solve the obtained set of ODEs. The numerical method is based on Galerkin weighted residual approach, and Gauss–Legendre numerical integration is adopted in the modified finite element method application procedure. To clarify the obtained results, another numerical technique is employed to solve the reduced ODEs. With the help of error tables and the flowing behavior of complicated physical parameters on estimated solutions, this study graphically and tabulatively explains the convergence of analytic solutions. Comparing some of the obtained results with those given in past research is also done. From the obtained results, it is observed that the velocity profile escalates by improving the electric parameter. Our intention is for this paper to serve as a guide for academics in the future who will be tasked with addressing pressing issues in the field of industrial and engineering enclosures. Full article

This article’s goal was to explain how chemical reaction and viscous dissipation affect a non-Newtonian Cross-fluid in a boundary layer flow due to a stretching sheet with variable fluid properties. The results were obtained after assuming laminar, steady, and viscous flow characteristics. In this study, the analysis took into account the characteristics of the fluid variable diffusivity and slip velocity. It was considered that fluid viscosity and thermal conductivity are temperaturedependent variables. Because of their mobility, non-Newtonian fluid particles are thought to interact chemically. The physical problem is governed by a set of partial differential equations that are not linear. Anumerical solution was reached usingNewton’s shooting methodology and the Runge–Kutta integration technique. A set of figures displays the distributions of the temperature, concentration, and velocity at various physical parameter values. The influence of all physical parameters is shown in tabular form together with the local Sherwood number, drag force, and local Nusselt number. A key conclusion was that the temperature profile of the nanofluid increases as the mixed convection parameter and Eckert number rise. Furthermore, both the Sherwood number and the Nusselt number decreased as the slip velocity parameter increased. Last but not least, the results proved that the suggested numerical approach, which offers a reliable description of the flow and heat mass transfer mechanism, is effective. Full article