Three dimensional fluctuating flow and heat transfer through a porous medium with variable permeability

Abstract

This communication investigates the effect of permeability variation on the heat transfer and the flow through a highly porous medium bounded by an infinite flat porous plate with constant suction. The permeability of the porous medium varies in space and time both. The problem becomes three dimensional due to the periodic variation of permeability in the transverse direction. The governing equations are solved by adopting complex variable notations and the expressions for the velocity and temperature fields are obtained. The wall shear stress and rate of heat transfer are finally discussed. It is found that the amplitudes L, M, H, respectively, of the skin friction components in the main and transverse directions and the rate of heat transfer, all decrease with the increase of the permeability of the porous medium, K0, or the frequency of the permeability fluctuations, ω.