Mixed convection boundary layer flow past vertical flat plate in nanofluid: case of prescribed wall heat flux

An analysis is carried out to investigate the steady mixed convection boundary layer flow of a water based nanofluid past a vertical semi-infinite flat plate. Using an appropriate similarity transformation, the governing partial differential equations are transformed into the coupled, nonlinear ordinary (similar) differential equations, which are then solved numerically for the Prandtl number Pr = 6.2. The skin friction coefficient, the local Nusselt number, and the velocity and temperature profiles are presented graphically and discussed. Effects of the solid volume fraction phi and the mixed convection parameter lambda on the fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics are thoroughly examined. Different from an assisting flow, it is found that the solutions for an opposing flow are non-unique. In order to establish which solution branch is stable and physically realizable in practice, a stability analysis is performed.