Natural convection of a reacting hybrid nanofluid in an open porous cavity bounded by vertical wavy walls

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the natural convection characteristics of a reacting hybrid nanofluid in an open porous cavity bounded by vertical wavy walls subject to an inclined magnetic field. Design/methodology/approach The physical domain of the problem is constructed using coordinate transformations, and the equations are transformed accordingly. The resulting equations are then solved using finite difference method. Numerical results for the streamlines, isotherms and isoconcentration are illustrated with varying relevant parameters. Findings Whatever the values of parameters, streamlines have two counter-rotating cells, and their intensities are the highest near the open end. Moreover, the maximum temperature and the minimum concentration are obtained in close proximity to the open end. The strength of streamlines is increased with increasing Rayleigh number, Frank-Kamenetskii number and Darcy number, whereas it is decreased with the increment of volume fractions of nanoparticles. Research limitations/implications The limitations of this study are that the model is suitable for thermal equilibrium cases and constant thermo-physical properties, while the results can predict two-dimensional flow behaviors. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no study on the natural convection induced by a chemical reaction in an open cavity bounded by vertical wavy walls. The findings might be used to gather knowledge about the flow, energy and reactant distributions in an open space containing a chemical reaction.