Numerical Analysis for the Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer of Free Convection Flow in a Porous Medium under Viscoelastic Properties

Abstract

The demand for research on boundary layer fluid flow issues in the fluid dynamic has led to the enhancement of fluid characteristics and heat transfer. One of the possible solutions to improve the heat transfer rate is through the integration of the existing model into a new model by incorporating a new concept or component of the fluid. Therefore, this paper presents numerical analysis of the free convection boundary layer flow of Brinkman-viscoelastic model through a horizontal circular cylinder (HCC) saturated in porous medium. The flow is considered flowing over a HCC under consideration of the convective boundary condition (CBC). The governing partial differential equations (PDEs) were transformed to the simplest form of non-linear PDEs by employing suitable non-dimensional variables and non-similarity transformation. Subsequently, the PDEs were solved by utilizing the finite difference method, named Keller-box method (KBM) and the coding was performed using MATLAB software. In a limited case, the current numerical results and earlier reports were compared to validate the problem model. According to the results, the velocity decreased and the temperature rose as the viscoelastic and Brinkman parameters were raised. Furthermore, increasing the viscoelastic and Brinkman parameters reduced skin friction and Nusselt number. The viscoelastic parameter was the only one that could maintain boundary layer separation. These theoretical results and the parameters in this investigation gave a significant effect in heat transfer process which can be used to assist engineers in making decisions and conducting experimental investigations.