Two-layer nanofluid flow and heat transfer in a horizontal microchannel with electric double layer effects and magnetic field

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the immiscible two-layer heat fluid flows in the presence of the electric double layer (EDL) and magnetic field. The effects of EDL, magnetic field and the viscous dissipative term on fluid velocity and temperature, as well as the important physical quantities, are examined and discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

The upper and lower regions in a horizontal microchannel with one layer being filled with a nanofluid and the other with a viscous Newtonian fluid. The nanofluid flow in the lower layer is described by the Buongiorno’s nanofluid model with passively controlled model at the boundaries. An appropriate set of non-dimensional quantities are used to simplify the nonlinear systems. The resulting coupled nonlinear equations are solved by using homotopy analysis method.

Findings

The present work demonstrates that increasing the EDL thickness and Hartmann number can restrain the fluid flow. The Brinkmann number has a significant role in the enhancement of heat transfer. It is also identified that the influence of EDL effects on microflow cannot be ignored.

Originality/value

The effects of viscous dissipation involved in the heat transfer process and the body force because of the EDL and the magnetic field are considered in the thermal energy and momentum equations for both regions. The detailed derivation procedure of the analytical solution for electrostatic potential is provided. The analytical solutions can lead to improved understanding of the complex microfluidic systems.

Citation

Zhao, Q., Xu, H. and Tao, L. (2021), "Two-layer nanofluid flow and heat transfer in a horizontal microchannel with electric double layer effects and magnetic field", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 31 No. 7, pp. 2347-2372. https://doi.org/10.1108/HFF-08-2020-0513