Enhancing thermal performance: A numerical study of MHD double diffusive natural convection in a hybrid nanofluid-filled quadrantal enclosure

Abstract

Double diffusive natural convection (DDNC) is one of the most studied phenomena in convective energy transfer, having applications in heat exchangers, oceanography and climate Science, biological Systems, renewable energy, and geothermal energy systems. We aimed to conduct a numerical analysis of DDNC within a quadrantal enclosure that contained a Cu-Al2O3 hybrid nanofluid with water as a host fluid. The motivation for choosing this model was attributed to the relatively limited research conducted within this particular geometric configuration, specifically in the context of double-diffusive natural convection, which served as the primary mode of heat and mass transfer. Using numerical simulations, we focused on the impacts of an external magnetic field. The bottom wall of the quadrantal cavity was kept at high temperatures (Th) and concentrations (Ch), while the vertical wall maintained at low temperatures (Tc) and concentrations (Cc). Moreover, the curved wall is kept thermally insulated. With an eminent numerical method, the finite element method is employed to solve the governing partial differential equations (PDEs), which are transformed into a dimensionless form. The outcomes were acquainted with streamlines, isoconcentration contours, and isotherms, along with local and average Nusselt and Sherwood numbers. The analysis revealed that enhancing the volume fraction of Cu-Al2O3 nanoparticles within the conventional fluid increased heat transfer efficiency by up to 11% compared to the base fluid. It was also noticed that without a magnetic field (Ha=0), the stream functional measures at its highest value of (Ψmax = 6.2) indicated strong convection. However, with the presence of a magnetic field (Ha=40), the stream function significantly decreased to (Ψmax = 0.2).