A numerical study on MHD Cu-Al2O3/H2O hybrid nanofluid with Hall current and cross-diffusion effect

Abstract

A numerical investigation has been performed to analyze an unsteady magnetohydrodynamic gravity-driven flow of a Newtonian hybrid nanofluid (Cu-Al2O3/H2O) along an impermeable vertical plate with linearly accelerated temperature and concentration. The Hall current, nanoparticle volume fraction, inclined magnetic field, and Soret effect on water-based Cu-Al2O3 hybrid nanofluid are incorporated into the flow model. The model's governing nonlinear partial differential equations are formulated and transformed into a non-dimensional form by introducing suitable variables and parameters. The finite difference method is implemented via the MATLAB solver fsolve to resolve the model equations numerically. The evolution of the primary and secondary velocities, temperature, and species concentration profiles is discussed via graphical illustration. Furthermore, a comparative analysis is performed on the coefficient of skin friction, rate of heat, and mass transport for hybrid nanofluid and nanofluid through tabular values. The novelty of the investigation reveals that a deceleration in the primary velocity and acceleration in the secondary velocity with the increasing magnetic field inclination parameter exists. The rising value of Cu nanoparticle volume fraction augments the primary, secondary skin friction coefficients, and the heat and mass transport rates at the plate. The Dufour number stimulates a reduction in the heat transport rate, while an enhancement occurs with the Soret number. The present investigation demonstrates that the heat transfer rate for water-based Cu-Al2O3 hybrid nanofluid is higher than that for water-based Cu nanofluid. The current research can be implemented to augment the efficiency of the cooling mechanism of heat exchangers, solar collectors, nuclear reactors, and many more.