Numerical Simulation of the Effects of Reduced Gravity, Radiation and Magnetic Field on Heat Transfer Past a Solid Sphere Using Finite Difference Method

The current study deals with the reduced gravity and radiation effects on the magnetohydrodynamic natural convection past a solid sphere. The studied configuration is modeled using coupled and nonlinear partial differential equations. The obtained model is transformed to dimensionless form using suitable scaling variables. The finite difference method is adopted to solve the governing equation and determine the velocity and temperature profiles in addition to the skin friction coefficient and Nusselt number. Furthermore, graphic and tabular presentations of the results are made. The verification of the numerical model is performed by comparing with results presented in the literature and a good concordance is encountered. The main objective of this investigation is to study the effect of the buoyancy force caused by the density variation on natural convective heat transfer past a solid sphere. The results show that the velocity increases with the reduced gravity parameter and solar radiation but decreases with Prandtl number and magnetic field parameter. It is also found that the temperature increases the with solar radiation and magnetic field but decreases with the reduced gravity parameter and Prandtl number.

Automated summary

The current study focuses on the effects of reduced gravity and radiation on magnetohydrodynamic natural convection past a solid sphere. A mathematical model based on coupled and nonlinear partial differential equations is developed. The model is then transformed into dimensionless form using appropriate scaling variables. The governing equations are solved using the finite difference method and the velocity and temperature profiles, as well as the skin friction coefficient and Nusselt number, are determined. The results are presented graphically and in tabular form. The verification of the numerical model shows good agreement with the literature. The main objective of this investigation is to analyze the influence of buoyancy force caused by density variation on natural convective heat transfer past a solid sphere. The results reveal that the velocity increases with the reduced gravity parameter and solar radiation, but decreases with the Prandtl number and magnetic field parameter. Moreover, the temperature increases with solar radiation and magnetic field, but decreases with the reduced gravity parameter and Prandtl number.