Shear flow of two immiscible non-Newtonian nanofluids considering motion of motile microorganisms
S. Goher, Zaheer Abbas, Muhammad Yousuf Rafiq
Abstract
This study numerically investigates the heat and mass transfer characteristics in two-phase boundary layer shear flows involving non-Newtonian Eyring-Powell and Casson fluids with motile microorganisms . Incorporating microorganisms into nanofluids enhances the thermal conductivity and overall stability of fluid flow, offering significant potential applications in fields such as biomedical engineering , energy systems , and industrial processes requiring precise thermal control. The analysis includes critical effects such as thermophoresis , thermal radiation , and Brownian motion, capturing the complex interplay of these phenomena on flow behavior. The simulations focus on the convergence of boundary layers with varying shear strengths , employing a fourth-order Runge-Kutta method coupled with the shooting technique and appropriate similarity transformations for efficient computation. Graphical representations of the numerical results offer insights into how key parameters affect flow characteristics , including velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles. Detailed numerical outcomes for the local density of motile microorganisms, Sherwood number , Nusselt number , and shear stress are presented in tabular form for both fluid types. The findings reveal that the Casson parameter enhances the velocity profile , while increases in viscosity ratio and shear strength parameters diminish it. Moreover, Brownian motion and thermophoresis effects lead to a reduced temperature profile near the boundary. These insights are vital for optimizing processes in microfluidic devices , enhancing thermal energy systems, and improving chemical reactors and separation technologies.