Unsteady thin film flow of a hybrid nanoliquid with magnetic effects

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to explore the thermal energy diffusion and flow features of a hybrid nanofluid in a thin film. In particular, the focus is to elicit the impact of shape factor in the backdrop of a magnetic field. The hybrid nanofluid is the amalgamation of various shaped nanoscale particles of copper and alumina in water. Design/methodology/approach The equations of motion and energy are modeled using the Tiwari–Das model. The differential equations governing the physics of the designed model have been obtained by the application of scaling analysis. To achieve quantitative outcomes, Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg numerical code along with shooting techniques is used. Validation of the derived outcomes with available data in literature reveals a greater accuracy of the numerical procedure used in this investigation. Findings The dynamics of the slender nano liquid film is explored eliciting the impact of various flow parameters. The rate of energy transport of the Cu-Al2O3/ water with blade-shaped nanoparticle, at a fixed Prandtl number (=2) is enhanced by 14.7% compared to that evaluated with spherical particles. The presence of hybrid nanoparticles has an affirmative impact in boosting the rate of heat transfer (RHT). The temperature and the rate of thermal diffusion of the hybrid nanofluid are more prominent than those of the Cu-H2O case. The numerical outcomes of this investigation are collated with the already published works as a limiting case and are found to be in good agreement. Originality/value The adopted methodology helped to obtain the results of the present problem. To the best of authors’ knowledge, it can be shown that the originality of the work with the table of comparison. There is a good agreement between present outcomes with the existed results.