Mesoscopic simulation of mixed convection on non-Newtonian nanofluids in a two sided lid-driven enclosure

• Heat transfer drops for different studied Richardson numbers as power-law index falls.
• The addition of nanoparticle augments heat transfer for multifarious studied parameters.
• The greatest effect of nanoparticle was observed at power-law index of n = 0.2.

In this paper, laminar mixed convection of non-Newtonian nanofluids in a square two sided lid-driven cavity has been analyzed by Finite Difference Lattice Boltzmann Method (FDLBM). The cavity is filled with water and nanoparticles of alumina (Al2O3) while the mixture shows shear-thinning behavior. This study has been conducted for the certain pertinent parameters of Richardson number (Ri = 0.001–1), power-law index (n = 0.2–1), and the volume fraction has been studied from φ = 0–0.09. Results indicate that the augmentation of Richardson number causes the heat transfer to drop. The heat transfer drops for different Richardson numbers as the power-law index falls. The addition of nanoparticle augments heat transfer for multifarious studied parameters. The greatest effect of nanoparticle on the enhancement of heat transfer was observed at power-law index of n = 0.2 for various Richardson numbers.

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