Analysis of activation energy in quadratic convective flow of a micropolar fluid with chemical reaction and suction/injection effects

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the combined effects of thermal radiation and activation energy with a chemical reaction on the quadratic convective flow of a micropolar fluid over an inclined plate. Convective thermal boundary condition and suction/injection effects are considered at the surface of an inclined plate. Design/methodology/approach The convection along with nonlinear Boussinesq approximation (i.e. quadratic convection or nonlinear convection) and usual boundary layer assumptions is employed in the mathematical formulation. Highly coupled nonlinear governing equations are tackled by a combined local non-similarity and successive linearization techniques. Findings The behavior of various pertinent parameters on the fluid flow characteristics is conferred through graphs and it reveals that the qualitative behaviors of velocity, temperature, skin friction and heat transfer rates of a micropolar fluid are similar for Biot number and radiation parameters. The suction/injection and activation energy parameters increase the concentration of the micropolar fluid within the boundary layer, while the chemical reaction parameter reduces the concentration in the same region. Further, this quadratic convection shows a strong influence on the fluid flow characteristics and then the impact of pertinent parameters is more prominent on the physical quantities, compared therewith results of the linear convection. Practical implications This kind of investigation is useful in the mechanism of combustion, aerosol technology, high-temperature polymeric mixtures and solar collectors which are operated at moderate to very high temperatures. Originality/value This attempt is a unique contribution to the establishment of both micropolar fluid and activation energy. This kind of study even in the absence of quadratic convection is not yet noted.