Investigation of variable thermal relaxation time in non-Fourier heat transfer flow with nonlinear thermal stratification

Abstract

Energy utilization is a significant aspect of the manufacturing industrial processes, and inefficient transferring of heat is one of the disadvantages which can affect the quality measures of end product. Therefore, by controlling the heat transferring rate, the efficiency of manufacturing processes can be improved. Thus, the variable thermal relaxation time factor in the theory of Cattaneo-Christov is main concern of this analysis. The non-isothermal flow by means of a porous medium is modeled and analyzed for a viscous fluid. The fluid deformation is discussed under stretching mechanism. A study is also executed to interrogate the heat transfer features under the heat flux model of Cattaneo-Christov. Thermal relaxation time is also considered which is determined by temperature. The aspect of thermal stratification is also implemented to see the modifications in temperature. The flow and energy equations are reduced by appropriate variables. The reduced constitutive flow equations are then computed using an analytical convergent technique. The significant impacts of the numerous parameters on the flow field and heat transport features are evaluated in detail through various plots. Skin friction coefficient is evaluated mathematically. Results found that the temperature significantly decreases with increased stratification effects. For larger thermal relaxation time parameter, the temperature function shows increasing behavior.