Numerical study of unsteady boundary layer flow and heat transmission of a nano-fluid past a continuously stretching sheet immersed in porous media

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to incorporate a numerical investigation of unsteady flow of nano-fluid near the boundary wall and heat transmission over a flat sheet in porous media under the assumption that sheet is continuously stretching. A comprehensive study is accomplished to probe the impacts of different physical parameters on heat transmission and fluid flow.

Design/methodology/approach

The problem is designed mathematically by using Navier–Stokes equations and corresponding equations are transmuted into non-dimensional form, which are reduced to local non-similarity equations. Implicit finite difference scheme is used to attain a non-similar solution for values of similarity variable ranging in [0,1]

Findings

The reduced Nusselt number is a decreasing function of each dimensionless number, while the reduced Sherwood number is an increasing function of each considered value of parameters Pr, Sc, Nb and Nt.

Originality value

Motivated by the industrial, technological and scientific importance, the objective of this study is to discuss the unsteady flow generated by linear stretching of the surface in Nano-fluid in a porous medium. However, the investigation of unsteady boundary layer flow and heat transfer of a Nano-fluid past a stretching surface immersed in a porous medium has not been discussed yet. Furthermore, finite difference scheme is used to solve the problem, and authenticate results are achieved which are in good agreement with published work.

Citation

Haider, S., Syed Muhammad, I., Li, Y.-Z. and Butt, A.S. (2020), "Numerical study of unsteady boundary layer flow and heat transmission of a nano-fluid past a continuously stretching sheet immersed in porous media", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 30 No. 4, pp. 1589-1602. https://doi.org/10.1108/HFF-11-2018-0664