Entropy generation analysis during MHD natural convection flow of hybrid nanofluid in a square cavity containing a corrugated conducting block

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of magnetic field on entropy generation and natural convection inside an enclosure filled with a hybrid nanofluid and having a conducting wavy solid block. Also, the effect of fluid–solid thermal conductivity ratio is investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

The governing equations that are formulated in the dimensionless form are discretized via finite volume method. The velocity–pressure coupling is assured by the SIMPLE algorithm. Heat transfer balance is used to verify the convergence. The validation of the numerical results was performed by comparing qualitatively and quantitatively the results with previously published investigations.

Findings

The results indicate that the magnetic field and the conductivity ratio of the wavy solid block can significantly affect the dynamic and thermal field and, consequently, the heat transfer rate and entropy generation because of heat transfer, fluid friction and magnetic force.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present numerical study is the first attempt to use hybrid nanofluid for studying the entropy generation because of magnetohydrodynamic natural convective flow in a square cavity with the presence of a wavy circular conductive cylinder. Irreversibilities due to magnetic effect are taken into account. The effect of fluid–solid thermal conductivity ratio is considered.

Citation

Tayebi, T. and Chamkha, A.J. (2020), "Entropy generation analysis during MHD natural convection flow of hybrid nanofluid in a square cavity containing a corrugated conducting block", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 30 No. 3, pp. 1115-1136. https://doi.org/10.1108/HFF-04-2019-0350