Optimization of MHD Flow of Radiative Micropolar Nanofluid in a Channel by RSM: Sensitivity Analysis

These days, heat transfer plays a significant role in the fields of engineering and energy, particularly in the biological sciences. Ordinary fluid is inadequate to transfer heat in an efficient manner, therefore, several models were considered for the betterment of heat transfer. One of the most prominent models is a single-phase nanofluid model. The present study is devoted to solving the problem of micropolar fluid with a single-phase model in a channel numerically. The governing partial differential equations (PDEs) are converted into nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by introducing similarity transformation and then solved numerically by the finite difference method. Response surface methodology (RSM) together with sensitivity analysis are implemented for the optimization analysis. The study reveals that sensitivity of the skin friction coefficient (Cf-x) to the Reynolds number (R) and magnetic parameter (M) is positive (directly proportional) and negative (inversely proportional) for the micropolar parameter.

Automated summary

Heat transfer is essential in engineering, energy, and biology. Traditional fluids are insufficient for efficient heat transfer, thus various models have been developed. Among them, the single-phase nanofluid model is prominent. This study focuses on numerically solving the micropolar fluid problem with a single-phase model in a channel, converting the governing partial differential equations into nonlinear ordinary differential equations using similarity transformation and solving them numerically with the finite difference method. The optimization analysis is implemented using response surface methodology and sensitivity analysis. The study shows that the sensitivity of skin friction coefficient (Cf-x) to Reynolds number (R) and magnetic parameter (M) is directly proportional and inversely proportional to the micropolar parameter.