ANALYSIS OF UNSTEADY FREE CONVECTION OVER A VERTICAL PLATE FOR KEROSENE-BASED NANOFLUID

Abstract

An analysis of kerosene-based nanofluid flow past a semi-infinite vertical plate is carried out numerically. A set of unsteady, nonlinear governing equations are derived, namely, the momentum, energy, continuity, and concentration equations. The Crank-Nicolson implicit finite difference scheme is used to solve the governing equations. It is unconditionally stable. Based on different values of physical parameters, the velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles across the boundary layer are depicted. Graphs comparing the heat transfer characteristics of Newtonian fluids with local and average, skin friction, Nusselt number, and Sherwood number are provided. With an increasing value of the Prandtl number of kerosene-based nanofluid the local skin friction coefficient decreases while the Nusselt number increases. Furthermore, the Sherwood number decreases as the Prandtl number increases.