Numerical simulation of double-diffusion mixed convection in three-dimensional porous cavity filled with nanofluid subject to inclined magnetic field

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of inclined magnetic force on thermosolutal mixed convection in three-dimensional cavity filled with nanofluid-saturated porous structure. The authors believe that this work will help to improve the thermal performance and the thermosolutal transport efficiency of many engineering instruments. Design/methodology/approach The cubic enclosure is heated differentially; the left and right vertical wall has different concentrations and temperatures and moves upwards at a uniform velocity, whereas the remaining walls are adiabatic at zero velocity. The mathematical model used for the saturated porous structure adopts the generalized Darcy–Brinkman–Forchheimer formulation. The nondimensional governing steady equations are discretized by the finite volume approach with the SIMPLEC algorithm. The influence of different pertinent parameters, which include nanoparticle concentration, Richardson number, buoyancy ratio, porosity number, Darcy number, Hartmann number and inclination angle, are carefully studied. Findings The major findings disclosed that by growing the magnetic field’s power from 0 to 100, the heat and mass transport decrease by approximately 37%. Moreover, the inclination angle’s effect is related to the strength of the magnetic force. The results also indicate that reducing porosity enhances mass and thermal transfer when combined with high permeability conditions. Originality/value According to the authors’ best knowledge and to existing studies, there has been no research that explore the influence of oriented magnetic force in a thermosolutal mixed convection phenomenon in a porous cubic enclosure. Thus, the authors believe that the results obtained are valuable and new.