Bioconvection of a Newtonian Nanofluid Over a Vertical Plate in Presence of Gyrotactic Microorganisms

Abstract

Bioconvection induced by gyrotactic microorganisms in a Newtonian nanofluid past a permeable vertical plate is studied. Addition of motile microorganisms to a suspension of nanoparticles in a basefluid enhances mass transfer and mixing in most microsystems in addition to the enhancement of the convectional properties of the nanofluid. This concept has solved many heating problems in various areas including civil engineering, chemical engineering and mechanical engineering. The present study looks into the movement of motile microorganisms present in a nanofluid over a vertical plate for purposes of saving energy through the enhancement of heat transfer. The objectives are to formulate and solve the mathematical equations governing bioconvection of a Newtonian Nanofluid flow along a vertical plate, investigate the effects of gyrotactic microorganisms on the temperature and velocity and temperature profiles of the nanofluid and to analyse the effects of nanoparticles on microorganisms concentration, temperature and velocity profile. Ordinary differential equations are obtained from the governing partial differential equations by use of similarity variables. To numerically solve the ODE’s, the Runge-Kutta Ferhlberg method is used with the shooting technique. Further, an investigation on the effects of controlling parameters on several numbers and dimensionless quantities of our interest. It is found that the Nusselt Number, the Sherwood Number and Skin Friction are strongly affected by nanofluid and bioconvection parameters