Heat transfer in 3D radiative Oldroyd-B fluid flow with irregular heat source and activation energy

Abstract

An investigation is conducted on the three-dimensional flow of a radiative Oldroyd-B fluid over a stretched sheet that has been convectively heated. Suction, activation energy, and irregular heat sources are also explored for their effects. To simplify the mathematical modelling, appropriate transformations are employed to convert a system of nonlinear partial differential equations into a system of ordinary differential equations. The Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg numerical method is used to report the numerical solution. Various fluid flow characteristics are explored across a range of relevant parameters, and the results are presented through graphs and tables. Notably, the velocity distribution is observed to decrease in the presence of a strong magnetic field. This is attributed to the Lorentz force, which opposes the liquid flow at the surface. The influence of activation energy has a favourable impact on concentration profiles. As the radiation parameter values increase, there is a corresponding increase in the average kinetic energy of fluid particles. This heightened kinetic energy facilitates more frequent and energetic collisions among the fluid particles, consequently the fluid temperature increases. Furthermore, enhancing the values of irregular heat sources provides extra heat from the surface towards the working fluid, in fact, the fluid temperature and their related thermal boundary layer thickness increase.

KEYWORDS:

• Oldroyd-B fluid
• nonlinear radiation
• irregular heat sources
• activation energy
• chemical reaction

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the reviewers and editors for their constructive suggestions

Disclosure statement

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Data availability

The data supporting this study’s findings are available within the article.