Chebyshev collocation-optimization method for studying the Powell–Eyring fluid flow with fractional derivatives in the presence of thermal radiation

Abstract

In this work, a mathematical model of the fractional-order in non-Newtonian Powell–Eyring fluid flow (PEFF) and heat transfer is presented and solved numerically. The set of nonlinear differential equations in terms of velocity, temperature which describes our proposed problem is tackled through the spectral collocation method based on Chebyshev polynomials of the third kind. This method reduces the presented model to a nonlinear system of algebraic equations. This system is constructed as a constrained optimization problem and optimized to get the unknown coefficients of the series solution. The effects of the thermal radiation, Powell–Eyring parameters; suction parameter and Prandtl number on the PEFF are discussed. The numerical values of the dimensionless velocity and temperature are depicted graphically. The results show that the given procedure is an easy and efficient tool to investigate the solution of such models. Some of findings of this important work help to govern the velocity and the rate of heat transportation through the boundary layer. At the same time, this study highlights many applications in fields of engineering and industry, where the quality of the desired product depends on the rate of heat transfer, thermal radiation phenomenon, and the composition of the material used, and manufacturing processes.