Buoyant Convection of Nanofluid in an Annular Domain with Linear Heating

A numerical study has been performed to uncover the nonuniform heating on buoyant flow of nanofluid and associated thermal transport processes inside the annular geometry. The vertical boundaries of the annulus are differently heated with linear thermal profiles, and horizontal surfaces are kept insulated. Using vorticity-stream function formulation, the governing model equations are integrated using time-splitting and relaxation finite difference techniques. The simulation predictions are illustrated through streamline and isotherms and heat transport rates in terms of the average Nusselt numbers for a wider range of chosen parameters. In particular, the impacts of radius and aspect ratios on the buoyant convection and thermal transport rates have been investigated. The simulation predictions reveal that the flow and thermal distribution along with thermal transport rates are significantly modified by aspect and radius ratios. Heat transport rates are augmented with an enhancement in nanoparticle concentrations as well as radius ratio. The aspect ratio has a significant impact on flow and thermal transport rates in comparison with remaining parameters.