Scaling group transformation for boundary-layer flow of a nanofluid past a porous vertical stretching surface in the presence of chemical reaction with heat radiation

The steady boundary-layer flow of a nanofluid past a porous vertical stretching surface with variable stream conditions has been investigated numerically. The model used for the nanofluid incorporates the effects of Brownian motion with thermophoresis in the presence of variable stream conditions. On this regard, thermophoresis of nanoparticles effect on convective heat transfer on nanofluids are investigated simultaneously. Positive thermophoresis implies that nanoparticles move from a hot wall to a cold wall. The symmetry groups admitted by the corresponding boundary value problem are obtained by using a special form of Lie group transformations viz, scaling group of transformations. The conclusion is drawn that the flow field, temperature and nanoparticle volume fraction profiles are significantly influenced by Lewis number, Brownian motion number and thermophoresis number. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.