Buoyancy effects in stagnation-point flow of Maxwell fluid utilizing non-Fourier heat flux approach.

Abstract

Here we utilize a non-Fourier approach to model buoyancy aiding or opposing flow of Maxwell fluid in the region of stagnation-point towards a vertical stretchable surface. Flow field is permeated by uniform transverse magnetic field. Two different heating processes namely (i) prescribed surface temperature (PST) and (ii) constant wall temperature (CWT) are analyzed. Through suitable transformations, the similarity equations are formed which are treated numerically for a broad range of magnetic interaction parameter. The obtained solutions are compared with available articles under limiting situations and such comparisons appear convincing. The structure of boundary layer depends on a parameter measuring the ratio of free stream velocity to the stretching sheet velocity. The momentum transport via stretching boundary is opposed by both fluid relaxation time and magnetic interaction parameter. Thermal boundary layer expands as the effects of transverse magnetic field and thermal relaxation time are amplified. A reduction in heat penetration depth is anticipated for increasing values of thermal relaxation time. The variation in wall slope of temperature with increasing thermal relaxation time appears similar at any assigned value of Prandtl number. A comparative study of aiding and opposition flow situations is presented and deliberated.