Axisymmetric stagnation point flow on linearly stretching surfaces and heat transfer: Nanofluid with variable physical properties

Stagnation point flow on a linearly stretching surface is considered and heat transfer analysis incorporating nanofluid with variable properties is presented. In the analysis, the stretching surface is considered to be extending radially while the extended surface is heated convectively. The nanofluid physical properties are taken to be a function of volume fraction of the constituting nanoparticles and their distribution within the flow boundary layer is also incorporated. The governing equations of momentum, energy, and species (nanoparticle concentration) are formulated in line with the Buongiorno model. The resulting equations are reduced to three coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations via using the similarity transformations. The transformed equations are solved numerically adopting the appropriate boundary conditions. The findings reveal that incorporating the variable properties of the nanofluid in the governing equations results in larger heat transfer rates as compared to those corresponding to the homogenous property fluid. This is more pronounced for large volume fractions of nanoparticles within the region of the boundary layer. In addition, Prandtl number, stretching rate of the surface, and nanoparticles volume fraction significantly influence the Nusselt number.

Automated summary

Stagnation point flow on a linearly stretching surface with heat transfer analysis using nanofluid with variable properties results in larger heat transfer rates compared to homogenous property fluid. The presence of a large volume fraction of nanoparticles in the boundary layer significantly enhances the heat transfer. Additionally, the Prandtl number, stretching rate of the surface, and nanoparticles volume fraction have significant influence on the Nusselt number.