Modelling laminar transport phenomena in a Casson rheological fluid from an isothermal sphere with partial slip

Abstract

The laminar boundary layer flow and heat transfer of Casson non-Newtonian fluid from a permeable isothermal sphere in the presence of thermal and hydrodynamic slip conditions is analyzed. The surface of the sphere is maintained at a constant temperature. The boundary layer conservation equations, which are parabolic in nature, are normalized into non-similar form and then solved numerically with the well-tested, efficient, implicit, stable Keller-box finite-difference scheme. Increasing velocity slip induces acceleration in the flow near the surface of the sphere and the reverse effect further from the surface. Increasing velocity slip consistently enhances temperatures throughout the boundary layer regime. An increase in thermal slip parameter strongly decelerates the flow and also reduces temperatures in the boundary layer regime. An increase in Casson rheological parameter acts to elevate considerably the skin friction (non-dimensional wall shear stress) and this effect is pronounced at higher values of tangential coordinate. Temperatures are however very slightly decreased with increasing values of Casson rheological parameter. Increasing mass flow injection (blowing) at the sphere surface causes a strong acceleration, whereas increasing suction is found to induce the opposite effect. The study finds applications in rheological chocolate food processing.