Entropy generation and heat transfer analysis of Eyring-Powell nanofluid flow through inclined microchannel subjected to magnetohydrodynamics and heat generation

Abstract

The current study is inspired to investigate the influences of essential flow dynamics including magnetic field, variable dynamic viscosity, Joule heating, viscous dissipation, porous medium dissipation, heat source, thermal radiation, and convective heating on the mixed convection flow of Eyring-Powell Cu − water nanofluid trough an inclined microchannel in the presence of Darcy-Forchheimer porous medium. The governing mathematical model equations are formulated, converted into dimensionless and thereafter solved numerically in the MATLAB software via Bvp4c-package. The influences of the embedded dimensionless parameters on heat transfer behaviours and entropy generations are displayed trough graphs as well as their physical interpretations are discussed in detail. Consequently, it is revealed that the performance of microchannel thermal system is improved by factors such as injection/suction of fluids, Eyring-Powell fluid, magnetic field, non-Darcy porous medium, Cu − nanoparticles, thermal radiation and convective heating. The drag coefficient and Nusselt number augment with viscous dissipation, variable dynamic viscosity, Darcy porous medium, angle of inclination, Prandtl number and heat source. Moreover, the Nusselt number at around the left and right walls vicinity shows an opposite behaviour with escalating values of the Biot number and thus convective transfer of heat around the microchannel walls is remarkably important. Furthermore, the minimization of net entropy generation rate is achieved with Eyring-Powell fluid, magnetic field, Cu − nanoparticles, thermal radiation and convective heating but it escalates with variable dynamic viscosity, viscous dissipation, angle of inclination, heat source and Prandtl number. Indeed, the irreversibility due to the robust influence of porous medium shows dual behaviours on the net entropy generation rate. Finally, the numerical results are also validated by comparing with the results of already existing literatures and hence, a sounding agreement is attained.