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Article
Publication date: 29 July 2021

Nirmalendu Biswas, Nirmal Kumar Manna, Dipak Kumar Mandal and Rama Subba Reddy Gorla

This study aims to investigate thermo-bioconvection of oxytactic microorganisms occurring in a nanofluid-saturated porous lid-driven cavity in the presence of the magnetic field…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate thermo-bioconvection of oxytactic microorganisms occurring in a nanofluid-saturated porous lid-driven cavity in the presence of the magnetic field. The heating is provided through a bell-shaped curved bottom wall heated isothermally. The effects of the peak height of the curved bottom wall, bioconvection Rayleigh number (Rb), Darcy number (Da), Hartmann number (Ha), Peclet number (Pe), Lewis number (Le) and Grashof number (Gr) on the flow structure, temperature and the iso-concentrations of oxygen and microorganisms are examined and explained systematically. The local and global, characteristics of heat transfer and oxygen concentration, are estimated through the Nusselt number (Nu) and Sherwood number (Sh), respectively.

Design/methodology/approach

The governing equations of continuity, momentum, energy and additionally consisting of species transport equations for oxygen concentration and population density of microorganisms, are discretized by the finite volume method. The evolved linearized algebraic equations are solved iteratively through the alternate direction implicit scheme and the tri-diagonal matrix algorithm. The computation domain has meshed in non-uniform staggered grids. The entire computations are carried out through an in-house developed code written in FORTRAN following the SIMPLE algorithm. The third-order upwind and second-order central difference schemes are used for handling the advection and diffusion terms, respectively. The convergence criterion for the iterative process of achieving the final solution is set as 10–8 and 10–10, respectively, for the maximum residuals and the mass defect.

Findings

The results show that the flow and temperature distribution along with the iso-concentrations of oxygen and microorganisms are markedly affected by the curvature of the bottom wall. A secondary circulation is developed in the cavity that changes the flow physics significantly. The Nu increases with the peak height of the curved bottom wall and Da; however, it decreases with Ha and Rb. The Sh increases with Da but decreases with Ha and the peak height of the curved wall.

Research limitations/implications

A similar study of bioconvection could be extended further considering thermal radiation, chemical attraction, gravity, light, etc.

Practical implications

The outcomes of this investigation could be used in diverse fields of multi-physical applications such as in food industries, chemical processing equipment, fuel cell technology and enhanced oil recovery.

Originality/value

The insights of bioconvection of oxytactic microorganisms using a curved bottom surface along with other physical issues such as nanofluid, porous substance and magnetic field are addressed systematically and thoroughly.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 31 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2022

Nurul Amira Zainal, Roslinda Nazar, Kohilavani Naganthran and Ioan Pop

According to the previous research, bioconvection has been recognized as an important mechanism in current engineering and environmental systems. For example, researchers exploit…

Abstract

Purpose

According to the previous research, bioconvection has been recognized as an important mechanism in current engineering and environmental systems. For example, researchers exploit this mechanism in modern green bioengineering to develop environmentally friendly fuels, fuel cells and photosynthetic microorganisms. This study aims to analyse how this type of convection affects the flow behaviour and heat transfer performance of mixed convection stagnation point flow in alumina-copper/water hybrid nanofluid. Also, the impact of a modified magnetic field on the boundary layer flow is considered.

Design/methodology/approach

By applying appropriate transformations, the multivariable differential equations are transformed into a specific sort of ordinary differential equations. Using the bvp4c procedure, the adjusted mathematical model is revealed. Once sufficient assumptions are provided, multiple solutions are able to be produced.

Findings

The skin friction coefficient is declined when the nanoparticle concentration is increased in the opposing flow. In contrast, the inclusion of aligned angles displays an upward trend in heat transfer performance. The presence of several solutions is established, which simply leads to a stability analysis, hence verifies the viability of the initial solution.

Originality/value

The current findings are unique and novel for the investigation of mixed bioconvection flow towards a vertical flat plate in a base fluid with the presence of hybrid nanoparticles.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 32 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 November 2020

Nirmalendu Biswas, Aparesh Datta, Nirmal K. Manna, Dipak Kumar Mandal and Rama Subba Reddy Gorla

This study aims to explore magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) thermo-bioconvection of oxytactic microorganisms in multi-physical directions addressing thermal gradient, lid motion, porous…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) thermo-bioconvection of oxytactic microorganisms in multi-physical directions addressing thermal gradient, lid motion, porous substance and magnetic field collectively using a typical differentially heated two-sided lid-driven cavity. The consequences of a range of pertinent parameters on the flow structure, temperature, oxygen isoconcentration and microorganisms’ isoconcentration are examined and explained in great detail.

Design/methodology/approach

Two-dimensional governing equations in a two-sided lid-driven porous cavity heated differentially and packed with oxytactic microorganisms under the influence of the magnetic field are solved numerically using the finite volume method-based computational fluid dynamics code. The evolved flow physics is analyzed assuming a steady laminar incompressible Newtonian flow within the validity of the Boussinesq approximation. The transport of oxytactic microorganisms is formulated by augmenting the continuum model.

Findings

The mechanisms involved with MHD-mixed thermo-bioconvection could have potential benefits for industrial exploitation. The distributions of fluid flow, temperature, oxygen and motile microorganisms are markedly modified with the change of convection regime. Both speed and direction of the translating walls significantly influence the concentration of the motile microorganisms. The concentration of oxygen and motile microorganisms is found to be higher at the upper portion of the cavity. The overall patterns of the fluid flow, temperature and the oxygen and microorganism distributions are markedly affected by the increase of magnetic field strength.

Research limitations/implications

The concept of the present study could be extended to other areas of bioconvection in the presence of gravity, light or chemical attraction.

Practical implications

The findings of the present study could be used to multi-physical applications like biomicrosystems, pollutant dispersion in aquifers, chemical catalytic converters, geothermal energy usage, petroleum oil reservoirs, enhanced oil recovery, fuel cells, thermal energy storage and others.

Originality/value

The MHD-mixed thermo-bioconvection of oxytactic microorganisms is investigated under different parametric conditions. The effect of pertinent parameters on the heat and mass transfers are examined using the Nusselt number and Sherwood number.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 31 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2005

A.V. Kuznetsov and P. Geng

To investigate numerically the settling of small solid particles in a suspension of motile gyrotactic micro‐organisms in order to evaluate the possibility of using bioconvection

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate numerically the settling of small solid particles in a suspension of motile gyrotactic micro‐organisms in order to evaluate the possibility of using bioconvection to slow down settling and enhance mixing between particles.

Design/methodology/approach

Numerical computations are performed at the North Carolina Supercomputing Center utilizing an Origin 2400 workstation. A conservative finite‐difference scheme is used to discretize the governing equations. A staggered uniform grid with the stream function and vorticity stored in one set of nodes and the number densities of micro‐organisms and solid particles stored in another set of nodes is utilized. CPU time required to investigate plume development until it attains steady‐state for 36 × 36 uniform mesh is about 50 h.

Findings

It is established that small solid particles that are heavier than water slow down bioconvection. Extremely small particles (nanoparticles) that have negligible settling velocity do not have any noticeable impact on bioconvection, very large particles (that have negligible diffusivity), or very heavy particles (that have very large settling velocity) also do not have any impact on bioconvection because they simply settle at the bottom. However, if the particles are of the optimal size and density (gravitational settling must compete with Brownian diffusion to create an exponential number density distribution of solid particles with the maximum at the bottom of the chamber), these particles can effectively slow down bioconvection.

Research limitations/implications

The question how solid particles may affect the wavelengths of bioconvection patterns requires further investigation.

Practical implications

The finding that solid particles slow down bioconvection may be important in using bioconvection to enhance mixing in fluid microvolumes.

Originality/value

The paper provides a model and numerical data about the effect of bioconvection on mixing of small solid particles. These data are valuable for researches working in fundamental fluid mechanics, multiphase flow, and applications of bioconvection.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 15 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 February 2021

Nirmalendu Biswas, Nirmal K. Manna, Dipak Kumar Mandal and Rama Subba Reddy Gorla

The purpose of this study is to address magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) bioconvection caused by the swimming of oxytactic microorganisms in a linearly heated square cavity filled with…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to address magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) bioconvection caused by the swimming of oxytactic microorganisms in a linearly heated square cavity filled with porous media and Cu–water nanofluid. The effects of different multiphysical aspects are demonstrated using local distributions as well as global quantities for fluid flow, temperature, oxygen concentration and microorganisms population.

Design/methodology/approach

The coupled transport equations are converted into the nondimensional partial differential equations, which are solved numerically using a finite volume-based computing code. The flow of Cu–water nanofluid through the pores of porous media is formulated following the Brinkman–Forchheimer–Darcy model. The swimming of oxytactic microorganisms is handled following a continuum model.

Findings

The analysis of transport phenomena of bioconvection is performed in a linearly heated porous enclosure containing Cu–water nanofluid and oxytactic microorganisms under the influence of magnetic fields. The application of such a system could have potential impacts in diverse fields of engineering and science. The results show that the flow and temperature distribution along with the isoconcentrations of oxygen and microorganisms is markedly affected by the involved governing parameters.

Research limitations/implications

Similar study of bioconvection could be extended further considering thermal radiation, chemical attraction, gravity and light.

Practical implications

The outcomes of this investigation could be used in diverse fields of multiphysical applications, such as in food industries, chemical processing equipment, fuel cell technology and enhanced oil recovery.

Originality/value

The insight of the linear heating profile reveals a special attribute of simultaneous heating and cooling zones along the heated side. With such an interesting feature, the MHD bioconvection of oxytactic microorganisms in nanofluid-filled porous substance is not reported so far.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 31 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 June 2023

Noura Alsedais, Amal Al-Hanaya and Abdelraheem M. Aly

This paper aims to investigate magnetic impacts on bioconvection flow within a porous annulus between an outer cylinder and five inner cylinders. The annulus is filled by…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate magnetic impacts on bioconvection flow within a porous annulus between an outer cylinder and five inner cylinders. The annulus is filled by oxytactic microorganisms and nano-encapsulated phase change materials.

Design/methodology/approach

The modified ISPH method based on the time-fractional derivative is applied to solve the regulating equations in Lagrangian dimensionless forms. The pertinent factors are bioconvection Rayleigh number Rab (1–100), circular cylinder’s radius Rc (0.1–0.3), fractional time derivative α (0.95–1), Darcy parameter Da (10−5–10−2), nanoparticle parameter ϕ (0–0.1), Hartmann number Ha (0–50), Lewis number Le (1–20), Peclet number Pe (0.1–0.75), s (0.1–0.9), number of cylinders NCylinders (1–4), Rayleigh number Ra (103–106) and fusion temperature θf (0.005–0.9).

Findings

The simulations revealed that there is a strong enhancement in the velocity field according to an increase in Rab. The intensity and location of the phase zone change in response to changes in θf. The time-fractional derivative a acting on a nanofluid velocity and flow characteristics in an annulus. The number of embedded cylinders NCylinders is playing a significant role in the cooling processes and as NCylinders increases from 1 to 4, the velocity field’s maximum reduces by almost 33.3%.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study is examining the impacts of the magnetic field and the presence of several numbers of embedded cylinders on bioconvection flow within a porous annulus between an outer cylinder and five inner cylinders.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 33 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 June 2019

Atul Kumar Ray, Vasu B., O. Anwar Beg, R.S.R. Gorla and P.V.S.N. Murthy

This paper aims to numerically investigate the two-dimensional unsteady laminar magnetohydrodynamic bioconvection flow and heat transfer of an electrically conducting…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to numerically investigate the two-dimensional unsteady laminar magnetohydrodynamic bioconvection flow and heat transfer of an electrically conducting non-Newtonian Casson thin film with uniform thickness over a horizontal elastic sheet emerging from a slit in the presence of viscous dissipation. The composite effects of variable heat, mass, nanoparticle volume fraction and gyrotactic micro-organism flux are considered as is hydrodynamic (wall) slip. The Buongiorno nanoscale model is deployed which features Brownian motion and thermophoresis effects. The model studies the manufacturing fluid dynamics of smart magnetic bio-nano-polymer coatings.

Design/methodology/approach

The coupled non-linear partial differential boundary-layer equations governing the flow, heat and nano-particle and micro-organism mass transfer are reduced to a set of coupled non-dimensional equations using the appropriate transformations and then solved as an nonlinear boundary value problem with the semi-numerical Liao homotopy analysis method (HAM).Validation with a generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) numerical technique is included.

Findings

An increase in velocity slip results in a significant decrement in skin friction coefficient and Sherwood number, whereas it generates a substantial enhancement in Nusselt number and motile micro-organism number density. The computations reveal that the bioconvection Schmidt number decreases the micro-organism concentration and boundary-layer thickness which is attributable to a rise in viscous diffusion rate. Increasing bioconvection Péclet number substantially elevates the temperatures in the regime, thermal boundary layer thickness, nanoparticle concentration values and nano-particle species boundary layer thickness. The computations demonstrate the excellent versatility of HAM and GDQ in solving nonlinear multi-physical nano-bioconvection flows in thermal sciences and furthermore are relevant to application in the synthesis of smart biopolymers, microbial fuel cell coatings, etc.

Research limitations/implications

The numerical study is valid for two-dimensional, unsteady, laminar Casson film flow with nanoparticles over an elastic sheet in presence of variable heat, mass and nanoparticle volume fraction flux. The film has uniform thickness and flow is transpiring from slit which is fixed at origin.

Social implications

The study has significant applications in the manufacturing dynamics of nano-bio-polymers and the magnetic field control of materials processing systems. Furthermore, it is relevant to application in the synthesis of smart biopolymers, microbial fuel cell coatings, etc.

Originality/value

The originality of the study is to address the simultaneous effects of unsteady and variable surface fluxes on Casson nanofluid transport of gyrotactic bio-convection thin film over a stretching sheet in the presence of a transverse magnetic field. Validation of HAM with a GDQ numerical technique is included. The present numerical approaches (HAM and GDQ) offer excellent promise in simulating such multi-physical problems of interest in thermal thin film rheological fluid dynamics.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 29 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 November 2018

Chandra Shekar Balla, C. Haritha, Kishan Naikoti and A.M. Rashad

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the bioconvection flow in a porous square cavity saturated with both oxytactic microorganism and nanofluids.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the bioconvection flow in a porous square cavity saturated with both oxytactic microorganism and nanofluids.

Design/methodology/approach

The impacts of the effective parameters such as Rayleigh number, bioconvection number, Peclet number and thermophoretic force, Brownan motion and Lewis number reduces the flow strength in the cavity on the flow strength, oxygen density distribution, motile isoconcentrations and heat transfer performance are investigated using a finite volume approach.

Findings

The results obtained showed that the average Nusselt number is increased with Peclet number, Lewis number, Brownian motion and thermophoretic force. Also, the average Sherwood number increased with Brownian motion and Peclet number and decreased with thermophoretic force. It is concluded that the flow strength is pronounced with Rayleigh number, bioconvection number, Peclet number and thermophoretic force. Brownan motion and Lewis number reduce the flow strength in the cavity.

Originality/value

There is no published study in the literature about sensitivity analysis of Brownian motion and thermophoresis force effects on the bioconvection heat transfer in a square cavity filled by both nanofluid and oxytactic microorganisms.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 29 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 August 2013

A.V. Kuznetsov

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the stability of a suspension containing both gyrotactic and oxytactic microorganisms for the case when the suspension occupies a…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the stability of a suspension containing both gyrotactic and oxytactic microorganisms for the case when the suspension occupies a horizontal layer of finite depth. The lower boundary of the layer is assumed rigid while at the upper boundary both situations of rigid and stress‐free boundary conditions are considered.

Design/methodology/approach

Linear instability analysis is utilized, and the obtained eigenvalue problem is solved analytically using a one‐term Galerkin method.

Findings

The obtained eigenvalue equation relates three Rayleigh numbers, the traditional thermal Rayleigh number and two bioconvection Rayleigh numbers, for gyrotactic and oxytactic microorganisms.

Research limitations/implications

Only the case of non‐oscillatory instability (which always occurs when heating from the bottom is considered) is analyzed. Further experimental research is needed to elucidate possible interaction between gyrotactic and oxytactic microorganisms. The developed theory is applicable only for dilute suspensions.

Originality/value

This paper extends the traditional theory of bio‐thermal convection to the case when the suspension contains two types of motile microorganisms exhibiting different behaviors.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 23 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 August 2023

P. Sudarsana Reddy and Paluru Sreedevi

Buongiorno’s type nanofluid mass and heat transport appearances inside a cavity filled with gyrotactic microorganisms by captivating thermal radiation is analyzed in the present…

Abstract

Purpose

Buongiorno’s type nanofluid mass and heat transport appearances inside a cavity filled with gyrotactic microorganisms by captivating thermal radiation is analyzed in the present work. Finite element investigation is instigated to examine the converted momentum, temperature, concentration of microorganisms and concentration of nanofluid equations numerically.

Design/methodology/approach

Finite element investigation is instigated to examine the converted momentum, temperature, concentration of microorganisms and concentration of nanofluid equations numerically.

Findings

The sway of these influenced parameters on standard rates of heat transport, nanoparticles Sherwood number and Sherwood number of microorganisms is also illustrated through graphs. It is perceived that the rates of heat transport remarkably intensifies inside the cavity region with amplifying thermophoresis number values.

Originality/value

The research work carried out in this paper is original and no part is copied from others’ work.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 33 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

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