Finite difference simulation of free convection of non-Newtonian nanofluids with radiation effects over a truncated wavy cone

This study explores the consequences of free convective laminar two-dimensional flow with the effects of thermal radiation of power-law non-Newtonian water-Cu nanofluids over the frustum of a cone whose sides are wavy shaped. The flow is described by some well-known equations of fluid dynamics, such as the equation of continuity, momentum and energy equation having the Rosseland diffusion model for radiation effect. These governing equations are transformed into non-dimensional boundary-layer equations, which are solved by using the marching order implicit finite difference method. The numerical results are obtained by varying pertinent parameters, such as the radiation-conduction parameter R-d, the surface heating parameter theta(w), power-law index n and nanoparticle volume fraction epsilon. The numerically calculated findings are reported with respect to the velocity and temperature distributions, streamlines, isotherms, local skin friction coefficient and average Nusselt number using graphs. According to the obtained results, R-d, epsilon and theta(w) accelerate the convection process. Hence, velocity, skin friction, as well as the rate of heat transfer enhance. On the other hand, an increasing power-law index decreases the convection process. As a result, velocity, skin friction as well as the rate of heat transfer reduce. The present study of non-Newtonian nanofluid with radiation effect over a truncated wavy cone is a novel study. The motto of the existing numerical effort is to observe the situations considering non-Newtonian nanofluid fluids and how the considered parameters reflected their behaviour with non-Newtonian viscosity and radiation-conduction effects. The obtained result of this present study is validated with the work of Pop and Na (Int. J. Nonlinear Mech. 34, 925, 1999). The findings of their investigation of free convective flow in a vertical cone are compared with the current work and the comparison showed an excellent agreement.

Automated summary

This study investigates the effects of thermal radiation on the free convective laminar flow of power-law non-Newtonian water-Cu nanofluids over a wavy frustum of a cone. The numerical results show that the radiation-conduction parameter, surface heating parameter, and nanoparticle volume fraction accelerate the convection process, leading to increased velocity, skin friction, and heat transfer rate. On the other hand, an increasing power-law index slows down the convection process, resulting in decreased velocity, skin friction, and heat transfer rate.