Double-diffusive MHD convective flow of heat and mass transfer over a stretching sheet embedded in a thermally-stratified porous medium

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to address the problem of double-diffusive magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) non-Darcy convective flow of heat and mass transfer over a stretching sheet embedded in a thermally-stratified porous medium. The controlling parameters such as chemical reaction parameter, permeability parameter, etc., are extensively discussed and illustrated in this paper.

Design/methodology/approach

With the help of appropriate similarity variables, the governing partial differential equations are converted into ordinary differential equations. The transformed equations are solved using the spectral homotopy analysis method (SHAM). SHAM is a numerical method, which uses Chebyshev pseudospectral and homotopy analysis method in solving science and engineering problems.

Findings

The effects of all controlling parameters are presented using graphical representations. The results revealed that the applied magnetic field in the transverse direction to the flow gives rise to a resistive force called Lorentz. This force tends to reduce the flow of an electrically conducting fluid in the problem of heat and mass transfer. As a result, the fluid velocity reduces in the boundary layer. Also, the suction increases the velocity, temperature, and concentration of the fluid, respectively. The present results can be used in complex problems dealing with double-diffusive MHD non-Darcy convective flow of heat and mass transfer.

Originality/value

The uniqueness of this paper is the examination of double-diffusive MHD non-Darcy convective flow of heat and mass transfer. It is considered over a stretching sheet embedded in a thermally-stratified porous medium. To the best of the knowledge, a problem of this type has not been considered in the past. A novel method called SHAM is used to solve this modelled problem. The novelty of this method is its accuracy and fastness in computation.

Citation

Falodun, B.O. and Omowaye, A.J. (2019), "Double-diffusive MHD convective flow of heat and mass transfer over a stretching sheet embedded in a thermally-stratified porous medium", World Journal of Engineering, Vol. 16 No. 6, pp. 712-724. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJE-09-2018-0306