MHD stagnation point flow on a shrinking surface with hybrid nanoparticles and melting phenomenon effects

Purpose - This study aims to explore the stagnation flow over a shrinking surface in a hybrid nanofluid consists of Al2O3 and Cu nanoparticles. Here, the flow is subjected to the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) and the melting phenomenon effects. Design/methodology/approach - The similarity variables are used to gain the similarity equations. These equations are solved via the bvp4c solver. The effects of several physical parameters on the flow and the thermal characteristics of the hybrid nanofluid are analysed and discussed. Later, the temporal stability analysis is used to determine the stability of the dual solutions obtained as time evolves. Findings - Results show that two solutions are found for the limited range of the stretching/shrinking parameter lambda, and then these solutions are terminated at lambda = lambda(c). The rise of the melting parameter Me from 0 to 2 contributes to enhance 109.63% of the local Nusselt number Re(x)(-1/2)Nu(x) and 3.30% of the skin friction coefficient (RexCf)-C-1/2. Contrarily, the values of Re(x)(-1/2)Nu(x) and (RexCf)-C-1/2 decline by 25.04% and 5.58%, respectively, as the magnetic parameter Mg increases from 0 to 0.3. Additionally, Al2O3-Cu/water has the highest values of (RexCf)-C-1/2 and the lowest values of Re(x)(-1/2)Nu(x). Lastly, it is found that the first solution is physically stable as time evolves. Originality/value - This paper considers the MHD stagnation point flow of a hybrid nanofluid over a shrinking surface with the melting phenomenon effects. Most importantly, it is shown that there exist dual solutions within a specific range of the physical parameters. Besides, the temporal stability of the solutions is also reported in this study. The finding can contribute to foresee the flow and thermal behaviours in industrial applications. Also, the suitable values of parameters can be determined to avoid misjudgement in flow and heat transfer analysis.

Automated summary

This study investigates the stagnation flow over a shrinking surface in a hybrid nanofluid consisting of Al2O3 and Cu nanoparticles, under the effects of MHD and melting phenomenon. Results show the existence of dual solutions within a specific range of physical parameters, and the stability of these solutions over time is also analyzed. This finding can provide valuable insights for predicting flow and thermal behaviors in industrial applications and determining suitable parameter values for accurate flow and heat transfer analysis.