Browsing by Author "Nzomo, Francis Mutuku"

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    Analysis of mass and heat transfer due to a stagnation point flow of casson fluid past a stretching/ shrinking sheet
    (Kenyatta University, 2025-01) Nzomo, Francis Mutuku
    Non-Newtonian nanofluid flow phenomena are predominant in various chemical and metal processing applications, featuring shear-stress-strain relationships distinct from Newtonian fluids. Casson nanofluid, a prominent non-Newtonian fluid, exhibits plastic flow with thinning characteristics, resembling rod-like solids. This study investigates the mass and heat transfer characteristics of Casson nanofluid in a stagnation point flow past a stretching/shrinking sheet. Casson fluid, known for its unique shear-thinning property and yield stress behaviour, finds applications in diverse industries, including polymer engineering and manufacturing. Investigating the boundary layer flow due to a shrinking/stretching plate is pertinent to numerous industrial processes such as polymer plate extraction, paper production, and glass-fiber manufacturing. The methodology involves non-dimensionalizing governing equations, resulting in a system of Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs) solved using MATLAB bvp4c with the RK4 shooting method. Simulation results demonstrate the effects of varying parameters on fluid density, temperature, and concentration profiles. Analysis reveals that an increase in the Casson fluid parameter correlates with decreased concentration and temperature, reflecting the rheological properties of Casson fluids. Brownian motion enhances thermal mixing, raising temperature, while thermophoretic effects contribute to non-uniform concentration distribution. A higher Schmidt number strengthens the diffusive effect, leading to decreased concentration. These findings underscore the significant impact of Casson fluid parameter, Brownian parameter, thermophoretic parameter, and Schmidt number variations on concentration, temperature, and fluid velocity.