Heat transfer in MHD viscoelastic boundary layer flow over a stretching sheet with thermal radiation and non-uniform heat source/sink

An analysis has been carried out to study the flow and heat transfer characteristics for MHD viscoelastic boundary layer flow over an impermeable stretching sheet with space and temperature dependent internal heat generation/absorption (non-uniform heat source/sink), viscous dissipation, thermal radiation and magnetic field due to frictional heating. The flow is generated due to linear stretching of the sheet and influenced by uniform magnetic field, which is applied vertically in the flow region. The governing partial differential equations for the flow and heat transfer are transformed into ordinary differential equations by a suitable similarity transformation. The governing equations with the appropriate conditions are solved exactly. The effects of viscoelastic parameter and magnetic parameter on skin friction and the effects of viscous dissipation, non-uniform heat source/sink and the thermal radiation on heat transfer characteristics for two general cases namely, the prescribed surface temperature (PST) case and the prescribed wall heat flux (PHF) case are presented graphically and discussed. The numerical results for the wall temperature gradient (the Nusselt number) are presented in tables and are discussed.

Research highlights► The present paper investigates the combined effects of viscous dissipation, non-uniform heat source and thermal radiation on heat transfer of MHD viscoelastic boundary layer flow with two general heating conditions (PST and PHF). ► The PHF boundary condition is better suited for effective cooling of the stretching sheet. ► The internal heat source enhances the heat transport. ► The thermal radiation parameter should be kept at a minimum to regulating the temperature of the system.