A Numerical Algorithm for Solving Higher-Order Nonlinear BVPs with an Application on Fluid Flow over a Shrinking Permeable Infinite Long Cylinder

Abstract

We present an efficient iterative power series method for nonlinear boundary-value problems that treats the typical divergence problem and increases arbitrarily the radius of convergence. This method is based on expanding the solution around an iterative initial point. We employ this method to study the unsteady, viscous, and incompressible laminar flow and heat transfer over a shrinking permeable cylinder. More precisely, we solve the unsteady nonlinear Navier–Stokes and energy equations after reducing them to a system of nonlinear boundary-value problems of ordinary differential equations. The present method successfully captures dual solutions for both the flow and heat transfer fields and a unique solution at a specific critical unsteadiness parameter. Comparisons with previous numerical methods and an exact solution verify the validity, accuracy, and efficiency of the present method.