Analysis of entropy generation and activation energy in unsteady double diffusive flow over a stretching cylinder

Abstract

AbstractEntropy generation with activation energy has garnered worldwide attention from researchers due to its extensive applications in thermodynamic design, chemical engineering, and optimization processes. One of the primary reasons for focusing on entropy is the global energy crisis, driven by massive consumption against limited resources. This study elucidates the double diffusion process in the dynamics of a viscous fluid over a stretching cylinder, incorporating considerations of entropy generation and activation energy. The non‐Fourier heat flux model is employed to describe the thermodynamics of the thermal system, while non‐Fick's law is used to elucidate the mass diffusion process. The unsteady phases of axisymmetric flow of the viscous fluid are thoroughly discussed. Transport equations in cylindrical configuration are transformed into ordinary differential equations, and an efficient mathematical method (i.e., homotopy analysis method) is applied to solve the transformed system. The graphical examination reveals the impact of flow parameters on velocity configuration, entropy configuration, temperature configurations, and concentration configurations. Additionally, a comparative benchmark is established with the results from previously published work for authentication and validation purposes. It is noted that concentration and temperature configurations are directly related to the unsteady stretching parameter. Entropy generation exhibits an inverse relationship with the unsteady stretching parameter when close to the stretching cylinder, whereas it shows a direct relationship when the fluid is flowing away from the surface.