MHD free convection in a partially open wavy porous cavity filled with nanofluid

Background: The investigations of natural convection in open cavities admit an indispensable insight to the research community, and many research articles are published in this area as the wide range of applications in industries. We focus on investigating free convection in a partially open square cavity; the use of a wavy cold wall will have a larger surface than a straight cold side wall for a fixed distance. Methods: This numerical investigation is aimed at MHD free convection in a partially open wavy porous cavity filled with nanofluid. The cavity is positioned vertically, and the wavy cavity wall on the right side maintains a constant low temperature. The top wall is partially opened, the magnetic field is applied horizontally from the left wall, and the bottom and top walls are adiabatic. The solutions of dimensionless governing equations are computed by the finite difference method (FDM) for a wide range of governing parameters: nanoparticles volume fraction (0 <= phi <= 0.05), Hartmann number (0 <= Ha <= 10(2)), Rayleigh-Darcy number (10 <= Ra <= 10(3)), the position of a partial opening (d = 1/6, 1/2, 5/6), length of the opening ( is an element of = 1/3), undulations number per unit length (1 <= N <= 5), and dimensionless wave amplitude (0:05 <= a <= 0:25): Significant findings: Obtained results reveal that overall convection is reduced as the nanoparticle volume fraction or Hartmann number augments, and the effect of the position of the opening is minor at a higher value of the Hartmann number; also, the waviness is an increasing factor for the average Nusselt number.

Automated summary

In this study, free convection in a partially open square cavity with a wavy cold wall was investigated. The results showed that an increase in nanoparticle volume fraction or Hartmann number reduced overall convection, while the waviness of the cold wall increased the average Nusselt number.