Analysis of Unsteady Magnetohydrodynamic 3-D Rotating Flow and Transfer of Heat in Carbon Nanotube-Water Nanofluid: An Engineering Application

We have analysed unsteady Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) 3-D rotating flow of Carbon Nanotube (CNT) water nanofluid past a stretching surface dealing with thermal radiation mechanism of heat transfer and heat source/sink. The mathematical model consists of a system of non-linear coupled Partial Differential Equations (PDEs). Numerical solution is obtained and discussed in detail. The influence of flow dominant parameters on the temperature profiles and flow-field are also discussed in detail using tables and graphs. Results are justified by previously published results in the limiting sense. Various crucial results are obtained, for example, unsteadiness parameter accelerates the fluid velocities in both directions near the sheet and reverse behaviour is noticed away from the sheet. However, fluid rotation causes reduction in primary velocity but it tends to accelerate secondary velocity near the sheet. Insertion of nanoparticle volume fraction intensifies fluid velocity and attenuates fluid temperature. We also found that multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) offer more resistance for primary skin friction and less resistance for secondary skin friction when compared with Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs).

Automated summary

The unsteady MHD rotating flow of carbon nanotube water nanofluid past a stretching surface is analyzed in this study, taking into account thermal radiation mechanism and heat source/sink. The mathematical model consists of a system of non-linear coupled PDEs. The numerical solution is obtained and analyzed, and the influence of dominant flow parameters on temperature profiles and flow field are discussed using tables and graphs. Important results are obtained, including the effects of unsteadiness, fluid rotation, and nanoparticle volume fraction on the velocity and temperature of the fluid.