Thermal Analysis of Nanofluid Flow over a Curved Stretching Surface Suspended by Carbon Nanotubes with Internal Heat Generation

• Main Authors: Fitnat Saba, Naveed Ahmed, Saqib Hussain, Umar Khan, Syed Tauseef Mohyud-Din, Maslina Darus
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-03-01
• Series: Applied Sciences
• Subjects: water based nanofluid; carbon-nanotubes; boundary layer; heat generation; thermal radiation; curved stretching sheet; numerical solution
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/8/3/395

We have investigated a two-dimensional radiative flow of a boundary layer nature. The fluid under consideration is carbon nanotube (CNT)-based nanofluid and it flows over a curved surface. The heat transfer through the flow is analyzed under the influence of internal heat generation. Water (base fluid) along with single or multi-walled carbon nanotubes is taken to compose the nanofluid. After introducing the suitable similarity variables, the consequent equations are reduced to a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The solution to the system is computed by using the shooting method accompanied by Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg algorithm. Various parameters, emerging in the governing equations, influences the flow and heat transfer distribution. These changes are captured and portrayed in the form of graphs. The changes in local rate of heat transfer and skin friction coefficient are also enlisted. To ensure the correctness of applied numerical scheme, the results are compared with some already existing studies.