Numerical investigation of the impact of temperature-dependent thermal conductivity and viscosity on thermo-particle heat transfer through stationary sphere and using plume

Abstract

Nanofluids have a wide range of applications due to their unique properties, such as enhanced thermal conductivity, convective heat transfer, and mass transfer. These applications can be seen in heat exchangers, cooling systems, and electronic devices to improve thermal performance. To enhance the cooling efficiency and lifespan of electronic devices such as smartphones, televisions, and computers nanofluids are used. These novel types of fluids can be used in energy storage systems, cancer treatment, imaging, and drug deliveryKeeping in mind, the real-time applications in engineering, industry, and science, the current study is carried out. In the present study for heat and mass transportation, the two-phase Buongiorno model for nanofluid is employed to scrutinize Brownian motion and thermophoresis aspects using stationary sphere and plume region. The temperature-dependent viscosity and thermal conductivity effects are encountered in momentum and energy equations, respectively are encountered. The proposed mechanism in the partial differential equations having dimensional form is converted to a non-dimensional form using appropriate dimensionless variables. The solution of the current non-linear and coupled model is obtained using the finite difference method. The numerical solutions presented in graphs and tables indicate that along with heat and mass transfer phenomena are entirely dependent on thermophoresis, Brownian motion, temperature-dependent viscosity, and thermal conductivity. The results indicate that the quantitative behavior of the velocity field is enhanced by increasing values of thermal conductivity variation parameters for both the sphere and the plume region at each position. On the other hand, the reverse trend is noted against the rising magnitudes of the viscosity variation parameter, thermophoresis parameter, and Brownian diffusion parameter. Additionally, the temperature in the plume region declines to enhance thermal conductivity variation parameter. A test for grid independence was performed by considering various grid points. Excellent solution accuracy has been seen as the number of grid points has risen. This ensures the validity and accuracy of the currently employed method. The current results are compared with already published solutions for the validation of the current model for specific cases. It has been noted that there is excellent agreement between both of the results. This close agreement between the results indicates the validation of the current solutions.