Homotopy simulation of dissipative micropolar flow and heat transfer from a two-dimensional body with heat sink effect : applications in polymer coating

Beg, OA; Vasu, B; Ray, AK; Beg, TA; Kadir, A; Leonard, HJ; Gorla, RSR

Abstract

Non-Newtonian flow from a wedge constitutes a fundamental problem in chemical engineering systems and is relevant
to processing of polymers, coating systems etc. Motivated by such applications, we employ the homotopy analysis
method (HAM) to obtain semi-analytical solutions for thermal convection boundary layer flow of incompressible
micropolar fluid from a two-dimensional body (wedge). Viscous dissipation and heat sink effects are included. The
non-dimensional boundary value problem emerges as a system of nonlinear coupled ordinary differential equations,
by virtue of suitable coordinate transformations. The so-called “Falkner-Skan” flow cases are elaborated. Validation
of the HAM solutions is achieved with earlier simpler models and also with a Nakamura finite difference method for
the general model. The micropolar model employed simulates certain polymeric solutions quite accurately and
features rotary motions of micro-elements. Primary and secondary shear stress, wall couple stress, Nusselt number,
micro-rotation velocity and temperature are computed for the effect of vortex viscosity parameter (micropolar
rheological), Eckert number (viscous dissipation), Falkner-Skan (pressure gradient) parameter, micro-inertia density
and heat sink parameter. The special cases of Blasius and stagnation flow are also addressed. It is observed from the
study that the temperature and thermal boundary layer thickness are both suppressed with increasing wedge parameter
and wall heat sink effect which is beneficial to temperature regulation in polymer coating dynamics. Further, strong
reverse spin is generated in the micro-rotation with increasing vortex viscosity which results in increase in angular
momentum boundary layer thickness. Also, primary and secondary skin friction components are both reduced with
increasing wedge parameter. Nusselt number is also enhanced substantially with greater wedge parameter.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 13, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Feb 4, 2021
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Oct 22, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 16, 2021
• Journal: Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Quarterly
• Print ISSN: 0352-9568
• Publisher: Hrvatsko društvo kemijskih inženjera i tehnologa
• Volume: 34
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 257-275
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.15255/CABEQ.2020.1849
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.15255/CABEQ.2020.1849
• Related Public URLs: http://www.hdki.hr/cabeq/