Steady mixed convection flow of a micropolar fluid near the stagnation point on a vertical surface
International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow
ISSN: 0961-5539
Article publication date: 1 October 2005
Abstract
Purpose
To study the steady mixed convection boundary‐layer flow of a micropolar fluid near the region of the stagnation point on a double‐infinite vertical flat plate is studied. The results of this paper are important for the researchers in the area of micropolar fluids.
Design/methodology/approach
For the case considered the problem reduces to a system of ordinary differential equations, which is solved numerically using the Keller‐box method. This method is very efficient for solving boundary‐layer problems and it can easily be applied to other general situations than that presented in this paper. Any PhD student can learn and apply it very easily.
Findings
Representative results for the velocity, microrotation and temperature profiles, as well as for the reduced skin friction coefficient and the local Nusselt number have been obtained for the case of strong concentration, Prandtl number of 0.7, some values of the material parameter K and the mixed convection parameter λ(≥0). Both assisting and opposing flow cases are considered. Results for the reduced skin friction coefficient and reduced local Nusselt number as well as for the reduced velocity, temperature and microrotation profiles are given in tables and figures. The obtained results are compared with ones from the open literature and it is found that they are in excellent agreement. The important conclusion is, we have been able to show that for opposing flow solutions are possible are possible only for a limited range of values of the mixed convection parameter λ.
Research limitations/implications
The results of this paper are valid only in the small region around the stagnation point on a vertical surface and they are not applicable outside this region.
Practical implications
The theory of micropolar fluids and also the results of the present paper can be used to explain the characteristics in certain fluids such as exotic lubricants, colloidal suspensions or polymeric fluids, liquid crystals, and animal blood.
Originality/value
The paper is very well prepared, presented and readable. We believe that the results are original and important from both theoretical and application point of views.
Keywords
Citation
Lok, Y.Y., Amin, N., Campean, D. and Pop, I. (2005), "Steady mixed convection flow of a micropolar fluid near the stagnation point on a vertical surface", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 15 No. 7, pp. 654-670. https://doi.org/10.1108/09615530510613861
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited