Intelligent networks for crosswise stream nanofluidic model with Cu–H2O over porous stretching medium

The porous media transport theories are thoroughly operative to analyse transferral phenomenon in reducing the bio-convective flow instabilities and biological tissues. The present study is designed to investigate the heat transfer phenomena in nanofluidic system involving Cu ? H₂O over the stretched porous media with the strength of stochastic solver via Levenberg-Marquardt backpropagation networks. The mathematical model of physical phenomena is described in PDEs that are reduced to system of ODEs through scaling group transformations. The datasets are determined through explicit Runge-Kutta numerical method and used as a target parameter for the development of continuous neural networks mapping. The training, testing and validation processes are utilized in learning of neural network models based on backpropagation of Levenberg-Marquardt technique to determines the solution of different scenarios constructed on the various values of porosity parameter along with six different cases based on the stretching ratio values. Validation and verification of neural network model to find the solution of nanfluidic problem is endorsed on the assessment of achieved accuracy through mean squared error, error histograms and regression studies.     

Heat transfer and hydromagnetic electroosmotic Von Kármán swirling flow from a rotating porous disc to a permeable medium with viscous heating and Joule dissipation

Magnetohydrodynamic flow and heat transfer in an ionic viscous fluid in a porous medium induced by a stretching spinning disc and modulated by electroosmosis under an axial magnetic field and radial electrical field is presented in this study. The effects of convective wall boundary conditions, Joule heating and viscous dissipation are incorporated. The governing partial differential conservation equations are transformed into a system of self-similar coupled, nonlinear ordinary differential equations with associated boundary conditions. The Matlab bvp4c solver featuring a shooting technique and the fourth-order Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg method are used to numerically solve the governing dimensionless boundary value problem. Multivariate analysis is also performed to examine the thermal characteristics. An increase in rotation parameter induces a reduction in the radial velocity, whereas it elevates the tangential velocity. Greater electrical field parameter strongly damps the radial velocity whereas it slightly decreases the tangential velocity. Increasing magnetic parameter also damps both the radial and tangential velocities. An increment in electroosmotic parameter substantially decelerates the radial flow but has a weak effect on the tangential velocity field. Increasing permeability parameter (inversely proportional to permeability) markedly damps both radial and tangential velocities. The pressure gradient is initially enhanced near the disk surface but reduced further from the disk surface with increasing magnetic parameter and electrical field parameter, whereas the opposite effect is produced with increasing Joule dissipation. Increasing magnetic and rotational parameters generate a strong heating effect and boost temperature and thermal boundary layer thickness. Nusselt number is boosted with increasing Brinkman number (viscous heating effect) and Reynolds number. The simulations are relevant to electromagnetic coating flows, bioreactors and electrochemical sensing technologies in medicine.     

Isothermal and non-isothermal oil–water flow and viscous fingering in a porous medium

Immiscible flow of heavy oil in a porous formation by high temperature pressurized water has been numerically studied. The physical region is a square domain in the horizontal plane with low and high pressure points at the opposite corners along one of the diagonals. Water, the invading fluid, when introduced at high pressure displaces the in situ oil towards the low pressure production zone. The extent of displacement of oil by water through the porous medium in a given amount of time and the appearance of preferential flow paths ( fingers) is the subject of the present investigation. The resistance to water–oil movement arises from the viscous forces in the fluid phases and the capillary force at their interface. Based on their relative magnitudes, various forms of displacement mechanisms can be realized. As the viscosity ratio of heavy oil to water is large, viscous forces in the oil phase become dominant and constitute the major factor for controlling the flow distortions in the porous formation. A mathematical model that can treat the individual fluid pressures, capillary effects and heat transfer has been employed in the present work. A fully implicit, two-dimensional numerical model has been used to compute the pressure and temperature fields. The domain decomposition technique has been adopted in the numerical solution since the problem is computationally intensive. Naturally occurring oil-rich reservoirs to which the present study is applicable are inhomogeneous and layered. A qualitative study has been carried out to explore the effect of permeability variations on the flow patterns. Numerical calculations show that non-isothermal effects as well as layering promote the formation of viscous fingers and consequently the sweep efficiency of the high pressure water front.     

Obstacle's effects and their location inside the square cavity on the thermal performance of Cu–Al2O3/H2O hybrid nanofluid

The current study focuses on the effect of obstacles and their positioning within the square cavity (L = H) on heat exchange. This work considers heating the cavity's bottom wall to a steady, high temperature. The top wall of the cavity is adiabatic, while the two vertical side walls are cooled. Four cases are explored under these conditions: the first case is a square-shaped cavity holding a square-shaped obstacle h = l = 0,15 L, while the other three cases, respectively, each include two, three, and four square obstacles. The cavity was filled with Cu–Al₂O₃/H₂O hybrid nanofluid with a volume fraction φ = 0.03. Numerical results for laminar and stationary flow regimes with Rayleigh numbers 10⁴ ≤ Ra ≤ 10⁶. The finite volume approach solves the governing equations numerically. The findings show that the number of square obstacles within the square-shaped cavity significantly impacts heat exchange and hybrid nanofluid flow. The second example, with two square obstacles, improves heat exchange more than other cases with one to four barriers. In the second example, the obstacle location at the plane Y = 0.25H is suitable and helps boost heat transmission of the hybrid nanofluid. The ideal obstacle position in the fourth scenario, which has four square barriers, is at the plane Y = 0.75H.     

Reforming of methanol with steam in a micro-reactor with Cu–SiO2 porous catalyst

In the present work, we report the results of a series of experiments for the hydrogen production via steam reforming of methanol with Cu–SiO₂ porous catalyst coated on the internal walls of a micro-reactor with parallel micro-passages. The catalyst was prepared by coating copper and silica nanoparticles on the internal surface of the microchannel via convective flow boiling heat transfer, followed by a calcination procedure at 973 K and therefore, the catalyst does not require any supportive material, which in turn reduced the complexity and cost of the preparation. The experiments were conducted at reactant flow rates of 0.1–0.9 lit/min, operating temperatures of 523–673 K, catalyst loading of 0.25 gr to 1.25 gr and at heat flux value of 500 kW/m². Results of the experiments showed that the methanol conversion can reach 97% at catalyst loading of 1.25 gr. It was also found that with an increase in the gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of the reactants, the methanol conversion decreases, which was attributed to the decrease in the residence time, the suppression in diffusion of reactants into the pores of the catalyst, and also the decrease in the average film temperature of the reactor. The highest methanol conversion was obtained at gas hourly space velocity of 24,000 ml/(gr.hr) and T = 773 K and for molar ratio of methanol to water of 0.1. The molar ratio of methanol to water also influenced the thermal response of the reactor such that the surface temperature profile of the micro-reactor was more decreased at low methanol/water molar ratios.     

Thermal Physics and Critical Heat Flux Characteristics of Al2O3–H2O Nanofluids

This study investigates the influence of the thermal physics of nanofluids on the critical heat flux (CHF) of nanofluids. Thermal physics tests of nanoparticle concentrations ranged from 0 to 1 g/L. Pool boiling experiments were performed using electrically heated NiCr metal wire under atmospheric pressure. The results show that there was no obvious change for viscosity and a maximum enhancement of about 5 to 7% for thermal conductivity and surface tension with the addition of nanoparticles into pure water. Consistently with other nanofluid studies, this study found that a significant enhancement in CHF could be achieved at modest nanoparticle concentrations (<0.1 g/L by Al₂O₃ nanoparticle concentration). Compared to the CHF of pure water, an enhancement of 113% over that of nanofluids was found. Scanning electron microscope photos showed there was a nanoparticle layer formed on the heating surface for nanofluid boiling. The bubble growth was photographed by a camera. The coating layer makes the nucleation of vapor bubbles easily formed. Thus, the addition of nanoparticles has active effects on the CHF.     

Mixed convection hybrid nanofluids flow of MWCNTs–Al2O3/engine oil over a spinning cone with variable viscosity and thermal conductivity

This work analyzed the effects of variable viscosity and thermal conductivity, with mixed convection, thermal radiation and viscous dissipation effects, on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)–aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃)/engine oil hybrid nanofluid flow due to a vertically inverted spinning cone embedded in a porous medium. Using suitable similarity transformation, the boundary layer fluid flow governing equations are transformed into dimensionless systems of coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations. Then, the solutions are obtained numerically employing the spectral relaxation method. The influences of involved parameters are examined, and the results are presented with graphs and tables. The obtained results disclose that both the tangential and azimuthal skin friction coefficients increase with increasing values of temperature-dependent viscosity and mixed convection parameters. The local heat transfer rate reduces with increasing values of the Eckert number and variable thermal conductivity parameter, whereas it enhances with greater values of the thermal radiation parameter. Generally, hybrid nanofluids of (MWCNTs–Al₂O₃)/engine oil show better flow distributions with good stability of thermal properties than MWCNTs/engine oil and Al₂O₃/engine oil mono-nanofluids.     

On the onset of thermal convection in rotating nanofluid layer saturating a Darcy–Brinkman porous medium

In this paper, the effect of rotation on the onset of thermal convection in a horizontal layer of nanofluid saturated by a Darcy–Brinkman porous medium is considered. A linear stability analysis based upon normal mode is used to find solution of the fluid layer confined between two free boundaries. The onset criterion for stationary and oscillatory convection is derived analytically and graphically. The effects of the concentration Rayleigh number, Taylor number, Lewis number, Darcy number and modified diffusivity ratio on the stability of the system are investigated. The sufficient conditions for the non-existence of overstability are also derived.     

Numerical study of chemical reaction and heat transfer of MHD slip flow with Joule heating and Soret–Dufour effect over an exponentially stretching sheet

A study of Soret–Dufour effects along with chemical reaction, viscous dissipation combining on MHD Joule heating for viscous incompressible flow is presented. It is assumed that fluid is flowing past an angled stretching sheet saturated in porous means. The slip conditions of velocity, concentration, and temperature are accounted for at the boundary. The mathematical expression of the problem contains highly nonlinear interconnected partial differential equations. To convert governing equations into ordinary differential equations, appropriate similarity transformations were utilized. These differential equations with boundary constraints are resolved by homotopy analysis method. Expression for velocity, concentration, and temperature are derived in the form of series. Effects of numerous physical parameters, for example, Schmidt number, Soret number, buoyancy ratio parameter, slip parameter, and so forth, on various flow characteristics are presented through graphs. Numerous values of velocity, concentration, and temperature gradient are tabulated against different parameters. Results show that the fluid velocity increases by enhancing the Soret number, Dufour number, or permeability parameter. The fluid's concentration rises as the Soret number increases, while it falls as the Dufour number, chemical reaction parameter, or permeability parameter increases.     

A comparative study of Ni catalysts supported on Al2O3, MgO–CaO–Al2O3 and La2O3–Al2O3 for the dry reforming of ethane

CO₂ utilization through the activation of ethane, the second largest component of natural and shale gas, to produce syngas, has garnered significant attention in recent years. This work provides a comparative study of Ni catalysts supported on alumina, alumina modified with CaO and MgO, as well as alumina modified with La₂O₃ for the reaction of dry ethane reforming. The calcined, reduced and spent catalysts were characterized employing XRD, N₂ physisorption, H₂-TPR, CO₂-TPD, TEM, XPS and TPO. The modification of the alumina support with alkaline earth oxides (MgO and CaO) and lanthanide oxides (La₂O₃), as promoters, is found to improve the dispersion of Ni, enhance the catalyst's basicity and metal-support interaction, as well as influence the nature of carbon deposition. The Ni catalyst supported on modified alumina with La₂O₃ exhibits a relatively stable syngas yield during 8 h of operation, while H₂ and CO yields decrease substantially for Ni/Al₂O₃.     

Pool Boiling of Water–Al2O3 and Water–Cu Nanofluids Outside Porous Coated Tubes

This paper deals with pool boiling of water–Al₂O₃ and water–Cu nanofluids on porous coated, horizontal tubes. Commercially available stainless-steel tubes having 10 mm outside diameter and 0.6 mm wall thickness were used to fabricate a test heater. Aluminum porous coatings 0.15 mm thick with porosity of about 40% were produced by plasma spraying. A smooth tube served as a reference tube. The experiments were conducted under different absolute operating pressures of 200 kPa, 100 kPa, and 10 kPa. Nanoparticles were tested at concentrations of 0.01%, 0.1%, and 1% by weight. In all cases tested, enhancement heat transfer was always observed during boiling of water–Al₂O₃ and water–Cu nanofluids on smooth tubes compared to boiling of distilled water. Contrary to smooth tubes, addition of even a small amount of nanoparticles resulted in deterioration of heat transfer during pool boiling of water–Al₂O₃ and water–Cu nanofluids on porous coated tubes in comparison with boiling of distilled water.     

Synthesis of Cr2O3–Al2O3 powders with various Cr2O3/Al2O3 molar ratios and their applications as support for the preparation of nickel catalysts in CO2 methanation reaction

The Methanation of CO₂ to CH₄ is a significant route to save energy and reduce CO₂ emission. In this work, a series of Cr₂O₃–Al₂O₃ powders were synthesized by a novel and simple solid-state method and considered as the carrier for the nickel catalysts in CO₂ methanation. The BET area and pore volume of the supports decreased with the decrease in Al₂O₃/Cr₂O₃ molar ratio. The results indicated that the increase in Cr₂O₃ content improved the catalytic performance and 15 wt%Ni/Cr₂O₃ catalyst exhibited the highest CO₂ conversion of 80.51%, and 100% CH₄ selectivity at 350 °C. The results indicated that the CO₂ conversion improved with the increment in H₂/CO₂ molar ratio from 2 to 5. The improvement in CO₂ conversion was also observed with decreasing GHSV due to the longer residence time of the reactants on the catalyst surface. Also, the results showed that increasing calcination temperature led to a decrease in CO₂ conversion. The 15 wt%Ni/Cr₂O₃ catalyst exhibited high stability in carbon dioxide methanation reaction.     

Cattaneo–Christov heat flux model and multiple slip effect on carbon nanofluid over a stretching sheet in a Darcy–Forchheimer porous medium

In several biotechnological processes, multiple slips are the most paramount, such as blood pumping from the heart to different body components, endoscopy treatment, pabulum distribution, and the heat transport phenomenon regulation. In the current research, we have studied the multiple slips, Darcy–Forchheimer, and Cattaneo–Christov heat flux model on a stretching surface exposed to magnetic carbon nanotube nanofluid. We have additionally included a heat source or sink, a chemical reaction for manipulating the heat and mass transport phenomena. The resulting governing partial differential equations have been transformed into ordinary differential equations. With the Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg fourth–fifth-order procedure, the transformed governing equations are numerically solved. Numerical solutions for different parameters for velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles (Eckert number, velocity slip, thermal slip, mass slip, etc.) are highlighted. Graphical and numerical results for the various parameters in the modeled problem have been outlined. The present numerical results are compared with the published ones for some limiting cases. The slip has been found to control the flow of the boundary layer.     

Cooling performance investigation of electronics cooling system using Al2O3–H2O nanofluid

In this study, the cooling performance of Al₂O₃–H₂O nanofluid was experimentally investigated as a much better developed alternative for the conventional coolant. For this purpose the nanofluid was passed through the custom-made copper minichannel heat sink which is normally attached with the electronic heat source. The thermal performance of the Al₂O₃–H₂O nanofluid was evaluated at different volume fraction of the nanoparticle as well as at different volume flow rate of the nanofluid. The volume fraction of the nanoparticle varied from 0.05 vol.% to 0.2 vol.% whereas the volume flow rate was increased from 0.50 L/min to 1.25 L/min. The experimental results showed that the nanofluid successfully has minimized the heat sink temperature compared to the conventional coolant. It was noticed also that the thermal entropy generation rate was reduced via using nanofluid instead of the normal water. Among the other functions of the nanofluid are to increase the frictional entropy generation rate and to drop the pressure which are insignificant compared to the normal coolant. Given the improved performance of the nanofluid, especially for high heat transportation capacity and low thermal entropy generation rate, it could be used as a better alternative coolant for the electronic cooling system instead of conventional pure water.     

Mixed reforming of methane over Ni–K/CeO2–Al2O3: Study of catalyst performance and reaction kinetics

Syngas can be effectively produced by mixed reforming of methane (MRM). In this work, the performance of Ni–K/CeO₂–Al₂O₃ catalyst in this process was investigated in a fixed-bed reactor in the 923–1073 K range. Both potassium and ceria are renowned for improving the performance of Ni catalyst in the reforming process. The influence of reaction conditions (viz. temperature, space time, feed composition and time-on-stream) on the conversion of two reactants CH₄ and CO₂, yield of the products H₂ and CO and the H₂/CO ratio in syngas were studied. At T = 1073 K and W/Q₀ = 0.17 g-h/L (here, W and Q₀ denote catalyst mass and volumetric flow rate of feed), conversions of CH₄ and CO₂ were 91.2 and 80.1%. When S/C ratio (or steam-to-carbon ratio) in feed increased from 0.2 to 0.5 mol/mol, H₂/CO ratio at T = 1073 K changed from 1.32 to 2.14 mol/mol. The catalyst performed stably for 50 h of time-on-stream. Reaction kinetics was studied between 973 and 1073 K and power law kinetic model was suggested. The apparent activation energy values for consumption of CH₄ and CO₂ were found to be 33.3 and 45.5 kJ/mol, respectively. This work is expected to aid catalyst development and reactor design for the MRM process.     

Solidification microstructure-dependent hydrogen generation behavior of Al–Sn and Al–Fe alloys in alkaline medium

This work deals with the development of quantitative correlations of hydrogen evolution performance with solidification microstructural and thermal parameters in Al–1Sn, Al–2Sn, Al–1Fe, and Al-1.5Fe [wt.%] alloys. The cellular growth as a function of growth and cooling rates is evaluated using power type experimental laws, which allow determining representative intervals of microstructure length scale for comparison purposes with the results of immersion tests in 5 wt%NaOH solution. For both Al alloys systems, hydrogen evolution becomes slower as the alloy solute content increased. However, for a given alloy composition, whereas a more homogeneous distribution of Sn-rich particles promotes faster hydrogen generation using Al–Sn alloys, coarsening of Al₆Fe IMCs (intermetallic compounds) fibers favors hydrogen production using Al–Fe alloys. When solidification conditions that result in a range of cellular spacings within 16 and 19 μm are considered, the specific hydrogen production of the Al-1wt.%Fe alloy is higher than that of the other studied alloys.     

Irreversibility scrutinization on EMHD Darcy–Forchheimer slip flow of Carreau hybrid nanofluid through a stretchable surface in porous medium with temperature-variant properties

The significance of hybrid nanofluids in controlling heat transmission cannot be overemphasized. Therefore, this article scrutinizes the electromagnetized flow of Carreau hybrid nanofluid towards a stretching surface in a Darcy–Forchheimer porous medium with the occurrence of slip conditions. To form the hybrid nanofluid, the amalgamation of silver and alumina nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in water as conventional fluid is assumed. For accurate interception of the rate of heat and mass transport, thermal conductivity and mass diffusion conductance are presumed to be temperature variants. The modeling system of partial differential equations has been translated into a nondimensional form by means of suitable similarity conversions. Then, the subsequent system of ordinary differential equations is handled using overlapping domain decomposition spectral local linearization method to acquire numerical solutions. The choice of the method has been justified through the provision of errors, condition numbers, and computation time. The behavior of distinct fluid parameters on the flow features, quantities of engineering curiosity, and entropy is analyzed. Findings of paramount importance constitute that the superior thermal conductivity, heat transfer efficiency, and low production cost can be achieved through the hybridization of silver and alumina NPs. The role of thermal radiation and temperature-variant thermal conductivity is to enhance the thermal transport performance of Carreau hybrid nanofluids. The velocity, energy, and mass profiles grow with the utilization of injection effects. The principal aspiration of the second law of thermodynamics (minimizing the rate of entropy generation) can be achieved by considering shear-thinning Carreau fluid while reducing the porosity parameter and Brinkman number in the existence of velocity slip conditions in the flow system. Outcomes of the current flow model can play a significant role in biomedical, technological, and various manufacturing processes. The approximation of entropy contributes towards power engineering and aeronautical propulsion to anticipate the smartness of the overall system.     

Decomposition and coupling of methane over Pd–Au/Al2O3 catalysts to form COx-free hydrogen and C2 hydrocarbons

Catalytic decomposition of methane (CDM; CH₄ → C + 2H₂) is expected to be used for clean hydrogen production because CDM does not emit carbon dioxide. Recently, it was reported that Pd–based catalysts promotes CDM, simultaneously facilitating coupling of CH₄ to form C₂ hydrocarbons. In this study, varieties of supported Pd–M alloy catalysts (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, In, Sn, Au, Pb, and Bi) were synthesized and their activities for the CDM and CH₄ coupling were examined. The catalytic activity for CH₄ strongly depended on the types of Pd–M. Pd–M/Al₂O₃ (M = Ni, Fe, Co, Au) showed high activity for CDM. In addition to the production of hydrogen by the CDM, Pd–Au/Al₂O₃ formed C₂ hydrocarbons such as ethane and ethylene via the coupling of CH₄. Effects of Pd/Au ratio and reaction temperatures were examined and the role of Au for the CH₄ conversion reaction was discussed.     

Hydromagnetic convective diffusion of species in Darcy–Forchheimer porous medium with non-uniform heat source/sink and variable viscosity

In this paper we have analyzed the combined effects of magnetic field and convective diffusion of species through a non-Darcy porous medium over a vertical stretching sheet with temperature dependent viscosity and non-uniform heat source/sink. The boundary layer equations are transformed into ordinary differential equations using self-similarity transformation which are then solved numerically using fifth-order Runge–Kutta Fehlberg method with shooting technique for various values of the governing parameters. The effects of electric field parameter, non-uniform heat source/sink parameters and Schmidt number on concentration profiles are analyzed and discussed graphically. Favorable comparisons with previously published work on various special cases of the problem are obtained.