Forced Convection of Non-Newtonian Nanofluid Flow over a Backward Facing Step with Simultaneous Effects of Using Double Rotating Cylinders and Inclined Magnetic Field

The forced convection of non-Newtonian nanofluid for a backward-facing flow system was analyzed under the combined use of magnetic field and double rotating cylinders by using finite element method. The power law nanofluid type was used with different solid volume fractions of alumina at 20 nm in diameter. The effects of the Re number (100 & LE;Re & LE;300), rotational Re number (-2500 & LE;Rew & LE;3000), Ha number (0 & LE;Ha & LE;50), and magnetic field inclination (0 & LE;gamma & LE;90) on the convective heat transfer and flow features were numerically assessed. The non-Newtonian fluid power law index was taken between 0.8 and 1.2 while particle volume fractions up to 4% were considered. The presence of the rotating double cylinders made the flow field complicated where multiple recirculation regions were established near the step region. The impacts of the first (closer to the step) and second cylinders on the heat transfer behavior were different depending upon the direction of rotation. As the first cylinder rotated in the clockwise direction, the enhancement in the average heat transfer of 20% was achieved while it deteriorated by approximately 2% for counter-clockwise directional rotation. However, for the second cylinder, both the rotational direction resulted in heat transfer augmentation while the amounts were 14% and 18% at the highest speeds. Large vortices on the upper and lower channel walls behind the step were suppressed with magnetic field effects. The average Nu number generally increased with the higher strengths of the magnetic field and inclination. Up to 30% increment with strength was obtained while this amount was 44% with vertical orientation. Significant impacts of power law fluid index on the local and average Nu number were seen for an index of n = 1.2 as compared to the fluid with n = 0.8 and n = 1 while an average Nu number of 2.75 times was obtained for the flow system for fluid with n = 1.2 as compared to case for fluid with the n value of 0.8. Further improvements in the local and average heat transfer were achieved with using nanoparticles while at the highest particle amount, the enhancements of the average Nu number were 34%, 36% and 36.6% for the fluid with n values of 0.8, 1 and 1.2, respectively.

Automated summary

The study analyzed the forced convection of non-Newtonian nanofluid in a backward-facing flow system under the influence of a magnetic field and double rotating cylinders, showing significant effects on convective heat transfer and flow features. The presence of rotating double cylinders created a complex flow field with multiple recirculation regions, while the magnetic field helped suppress large vortices behind the step. The direction of rotation of the cylinders and the strength of the magnetic field had varying impacts on heat transfer enhancement and flow behavior.