Qualitative analysis of magnetohydrodynamics Powell–Eyring fluid with variable electrical conductivity

ABSTRACT

The non-Newtonian fluid model helps to visualize the fluid movements in modern industrial materials for the enhancement of work productivity. Therefore, this numerical investigation examines the flow behaviour of Powell–Eyring fluid over the stretching sheet with variable electric conductivity and thermal radiation. We have used the Lie group analysis method to reduce the governing momentum and energy equations into ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The resultant system is then numerically solved using the shifted Chebyshev collocation method. The accuracy of the numerical method has been verified by comparing the current work to existing literature, and it is found to be in excellent agreement. The effects of rheological parameters like stretching sheet parameter, magnetic field parameter, material parameters, suction/injection parameter, radiation parameter and Prandtl number on fluid velocity and temperature profiles are examined in detail through tables and graphs. The main motivation behind this study is to examine the effects of Lorentz force on fluid velocity and temperature in the presence of thermal radiation, which has several industrial applications. It is observed that the velocity profile decreases when the magnetic field parameter increases. Furthermore, it is noticed that increasing thermal radiation parameter increases the temperature profile.

KEYWORDS:

• Lie group analysis
• Powell–Eyring fluid
• variable electrical conductivity
• stretching sheet
• thermal radiation
• Shifted Chebyshev collocation method

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

There is no funding provided to carry out this research work.

Notes on contributors

Sradharam Swain

Sradharm Swain is a PhD student specializing in fluid flow problems at NIT Rourkela, Odisha. His research focuses on boundary layer fluid flow problems, with a particular interest in understanding fluid flow dynamics. Mr. Swain has a strong background in this area and his doctoral thesis primarily involved solving non-Newtonian fluid flow problems using Lie group analysis.

Suman Sarkar

Suman Sarkar is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at KIIT Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. His research activities span a wide range, including computational fluid dynamics. Mr. Sarkar's dedication to advancing the understanding of fluid flow and his valuable contributions to the field make him an important member of the research community.

Bikash Sahoo

Bikash Sahoo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics at NIT Rourkela. He completed his PhD in Mathematics in 2007, specializing in fluid dynamics. His areas of expertise focus on studying the behavior of fluid flow problems under the influence of thermal radiation, MHD, and viscous dissipation. Dr. Sahoo employs numerical and analytical/theoretical approaches to solve nonlinear boundary value fluid flow problems.

Oluwole D. Makinde

Oluwole D. Makinde is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and has co-authored more than 680 publications, including over 100 peer-reviewed journals. Currently affiliated with Stellenbosch University, South Africa, his research interests primarily lie in steady and unsteady fluid flow problems, as well as rotating disk problems. In addition to his prolific research contributions, Prof. Makinde is actively involved in teaching various courses and supervising degrees.