Heat Transfer and Mixed Convection Flow of Non-Newtonian Thermo-Dependent Power Law Fluids with Thermal Radiation Effect

Abstract

The current study explores numerically mixed convection of thermo-dependent power-law fluids in a square lid-driven enclosure, including the thermal radiation effect. The vertical sidewalls are sustained at both hot and cold temperatures. On the other hand, the cavity is insulated from the horizontal walls. The upper wall is moving along the x-axis. The main governing equations that the Boussinesq approximation is used for are solved using the finite difference method. The simulations focus on the effects of multiple pertinent parameters, including the Richardson number. (Ri = 0.1, 1, 10 and 100), thermal radiation parameter (Rd = 0 and 10), power-law index (0.6 ≤ n ≤ 1.4) and the Pearson number (0 ≤ m ≤ 6). The findings reveal that improving the Richardson number reduces heat transfer. Then, increasing Rd results in a domination of heat conduction for a fluid having a higher thermal conductivity. Also, the growth in the power law-index reduces heat transfer while improving convective flow. Finally, increasing the Pearson number improves the convective flow rate and also the average Nusselt number.