Magnetic field effect on the double diffusive natural convection in three-dimensional cavity filled with micropolar nanofluid

Abstract

This article presents a three-dimensional numerical investigation of heat and mass transfers and fluid flow in a cavity filled with an Al2O3/water micropolar fluid under uniform magnetic field. To solve the governing non-dimensional equations, Finite Volume Method (FVM) based on 3-D vorticity-vector potential formulation has been employed. The effects of various parameters such as buoyancy ratio (-2 ≤ N ≤ 0), Rayleigh number (103 ≤ Ra ≤ 105), Hartmann number (0≤ Ha≤ 60), nanoparticles volume fraction (0 ≤ ψ ≤ 0.06) and micropolar material parameter (0≤ K≤ 5) on flow structure and on heat and mass transfers are presented. The results illustrate that for the micropolar nanofluid model, both heat and mass transfer rates and three-dimensional character of the flow are smaller when compared with the pure nanofluid model. It is also observed that increase and decrease in heat and mass transfer rates is experienced due to increase in Rayleigh number and Hartmann number, respectively. It is also noted that increase in vortex viscosity parameter reduces the average heat and mass transfer rates and is more evident when the magnetic field is imposed. Combined effects of magnetic field and nanoparticles volume fraction on heat and mass transfers are also explored.