Mesoscale flows of liquid are of great importance for various nano- and biotechnology applications. Continuum model do not properly capture the physical phenomena related to the diffusion effects, such as Brownian motion. Molecular approach on the other hand, is computationally too expensive to provide information relevant for engineering applications. Hence, the need for a mesoscale approach is apparent. In recent years many mesoscale models have been developed, particularly to study flows of gas. However, mesoscale behaviour of liquid substantially differs from that of gas. This paper presents a numerical study of micro-liquids phenomena by a Voronoi Dissipative Particle Dynamics method. The method has its origin from the material science field and is one of very few numerical techniques which can describe correctly molecular diffusion processes in mesoscale liquids. This paper proves that correct prediction of molecular diffusion effects plays predominant role on the correct prediction of behaviour of immersed structures in the mesoscopic flow.

The characteristic of nano sized particles mass flux conditions are engaged in this investigation. Here we assume that the nano sized particle flux is zero and the nano sized particle fraction arranged itself on the boundary layer. With this convincing and revised relation, the features of Buongiorno relation on three-dimensional flow of Carreau fluid can be applied in a more efficient way. The governing partial differential equations of continuity, momentum, energy and concentration equations which are transmitted into set of pair of nonlinear ordinary differential equations utilizing similar transformations. The numeric solutions are acquired by engaging the bvp4c scheme, which is a finite-difference code for solving boundary value problems. A parametric study is accomplished to demonstrate the impact of Prandtl number,Weissenberg numbers, radiation parameter, chemical reaction parameter, thermophoresis parameter, Brownian motion parameter and Lewis number on the fluid velocity, temperature and concentration profiles as well skin friction coefficient, Nusselt number and Sherwood number within the boundary layer. From this we find the way in which magnetic parameter contributes to the increase in local skin fraction, and the decrease in the Nusselt and Sherwood numbers in these cases. The effects of the velocity temperature and concentration profile are obtained and presented graphically.

The presence of more than one solute diffused in fluid mixtures is very often requested for discussing the natural phenomena such as transportation of contaminants, underground water, acid rain and so on. In the paper, the effect of nonlinear thermal radiation on triple diffusive convective boundary layer flow of Casson nanofluid along a horizontal plate is theoretically investigated. Similarity transformations are utilized to reduce the governing partial differential equations into a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The reduced equations are numerically solved using Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg fourth-fifth order method along with shooting technique. The impact of several existing physical parameters on velocity, temperature, solutal and nanofluid concentration profiles are analyzed through graphs and tables in detail. It is found that, modified Dufour parameter and Dufour solutal Lewis number enhances the temperature and solutal concentration profiles respectively.

An experimental investigation was performed on the thermal performance and heat transfer characteristics of acetone/zirconia nanofluid in a straight (rod) gravity-assisted heat pipe. The heat pipe was fabricated from copper with a diameter of 15 mm, evaporator-condenser length of 100 mm and adiabatic length of 50 mm. The zirconia-acetone nanofluid was prepared at 0.05–0.15% wt. Influence of heat flux applied to the evaporator, filling ratio, tilt angle and mass concentration of nanofluid on the heat transfer coefficient of heat pipe was investigated. Results showed that the use of nanofluid increases the heat transfer coefficient while decreasing the thermal resistance of the heat pipe. However, for the filling ratio and tilt angle values, the heat transfer coefficient initially increases with an increase in both. However, from a specific value, which was 0.65 for filling ratio and 60–65 deg for tilt angle, the heat transfer coefficient was suppressed. This was attributed to the limitation in the internal space of the heat pipe and also the accumulation of working fluid inside the bottom of the heat pipe due to the large tilt angle. Overall, zirconia-acetone showed a great potential to increase the thermal performance of the heat pipe.

This work investigates the effect of Reynolds number, nanoparticle volume ratio, nanoparticle size and entrance temperature on the rate of entropy generation in Al2O3 /H2O nanofluid flowing through a pipe in the turbulent regime. The Reynolds average Navier-Stokes and energy equations were solved using the standard k-ε turbulent model and the central composite method was used for the design of experiment. Based on the number of variables and levels, the condition of 30 runs was defined and 30 simulations were run. The result of the regression model obtained showed that all the input variables and some interaction between the variables are statistically significant to the entropy production. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis result shows that the Reynolds number, the nanoparticle volume ratio and the entrance temperature have negative sensitivity while the nanoparticle size has positive sensitivity.

In this paper, investigation of the effect of Reynolds number, nanoparticle volume ratio, nanoparticle diameter and entrance temperature on the convective heat transfer and pressure drop of Al2O3/H2O nanofluid in turbulent flow through a straight pipe was carried out. The study employed a computational fluid dynamic approach using single-phase model and response surface methodology for the design of experiment. The Reynolds average Navier-Stokes equations and energy equation were solved using k-" turbulent model. The central composite design method was used for the response-surface-methodology. Based on the number of variables and levels, the condition of 30 runs was defined and 30 simulations were performed. New models to evaluate the mean Nusselt number and pressure drop were obtained. Also, the result showed that all the four input variables are statistically significant to the pressure drop while three out of them are significant to the Nusslet number. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis carried out showed that the Reynolds number and volume fraction have a positive sensitivity to both the mean Nusselt number, and pressure drop, while the entrance temperature has negative sensitivities to both.

Mathematical analysis for 3D Williamson nanofluid flow past a bi-directional stretched surface in Darcy-Forchheimer permeable media constitutes the focus of this study. The novelty of the proposed model is augmented by the addition of thermal and solutal stratification with chemical species and variable thermal conductivity. Calculations of the suggested model are conducted via the renowned homotopy analysis method (HAM). The results obtained are validated by comparing them in a limiting form with an already published article. Excellent harmony is achieved in this regard. Graphical structures, depicting impacts of assorted arising parameters versus the profiles involved are also provided. It is noticed that the velocity profile is a dwindling function of the Williamson parameter and Hartmann number. It is also stated that the Cattaneo-Christov heat flux exhibits conventional Fourier and Fick’s laws behavior when both coefficients of thermal and concentration relaxations are zero.

In this experimental investigation, the critical heat flux (CHF) of aqua-based multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanofluids at three different volumetric concentrations 0.2%, 0.6%, and 0.8% were prepared, and the test results were compared with deionized water. Different characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared, were used to estimate the size, surface morphology, agglomeration size and chemical nature of MWCNT. The thermal conductivity and viscosity of the MWCNT at three different volumetric concentrations was measured at a different temperature, and results were compared with deionized water. Although, MWCNT-deionized water nanofluid showed superior performance in heat transfer coefficient as compared to the base fluid. However, the results proved that the critical heat flux is increased with an increase in concentrations of nanofluids.