Numerical Simulations of Magnetohydrodynamics Natural Convection and Entropy Production in a Porous Annulus Bounded by Wavy Cylinder and Koch Snowflake Loaded with Cu–Water Nanofluid

Abstract

The current paper presents a numerical study of the magnetohydrodynamics natural convection and entropy production of Cu–water nanofluid contained in a porous annulus between a heated Koch snowflake and wavy cylinder with lower temperature with respect to the Koch snowflake. The numerical algorithm is based on the Galerkin Finite Element Method. The impacts of Rayleigh number (Ra = 103, 104, 105, and 106), Hartman number (Ha = 0, 25, 50, and 100), Darcy number (Da = 10−2, 10−3, 10−4, and 10−5), nanoparticle volumetric fraction (ϕ = 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%), and the undulations number of the outer wavy cylinder (three cases) on the distributions of isotherms, streamlines, mean Nusselt number (Nuavg), as well as on total entropy production and Bejan number are thoroughly examined. The computational outcomes disclose that dispersing more Cu nanoparticles in the base fluid and creating a flow with higher intensity inside the annulus by raising the Rayleigh number bring about a boosted natural convective flow in the cavity, which improves the heat transmission rate. In addition, it can be noted that owing to the peculiar form of the heated Koch snowflake, nanofluid gets trapped between the angled parts, resulting in uneven temperature profiles with higher values in these places.