Significance of Viscous Dissipation on Heat Transport in an Incompressible Viscous Fluid with Varying Properties

A Numerical Investigation

Abstract

This study investigates the behaviour of a viscous, electrically conductive, and incompressible fluid flow under the influence of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) and viscous dissipation phenomena. This analysis encompasses the combined effects of variable thermal conductivity and non-uniform viscosity, taking into account the substantial implications these factors have on heat transfer within the fluid. As temperature varies, it is essential to consider that the fluid's viscosity and thermal conductivity will also change, significantly impacting flow characteristics. To model the governing equations of this complex system, a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations, simplified through similarity transformations has been employed. The resulting similarity equations are then solved numerically using the MATLAB solver technique, allowing us to explore various flow parameters. The numerical calculations yield insights into temperature distributions, velocity profiles, Nusselt numbers, and the surface friction coefficient. These findings are crucial for applications in various fields, such as aerospace engineering, where understanding fluid dynamics around heated surfaces is vital. Additionally, this research can be applied to cooling systems in electronic devices, chemical processing industries, and even in bioengineering. These applications exemplify the importance of understanding such fluid behaviours in both theoretical and practical contexts.