Magnetohydrodynamic convective flow problems: fascinating applications of nanofluids

Abstract

Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) is an area that discusses the coupled nature of fluid motion and magnetic field. The magnetic field induces a current on the moving conductive fluid that creates an induced magnetic field. Both the electric current and induced magnetic field generate a force namely Lorentz force on the moving fluid that can alter the velocity and magnetic effects of the fluid. Maxwell’s equations for electromagnetism and Navier Stoke’s equation for fluid mechanics are the basic equations that describe the governing equations of hydromagnetic fluid flows. MHD flows are widely used in metallurgy, polymer industry, plasma jet, electromagnetic pump, and aeronautics. Metal and metal oxides show higher thermal conductivity than fluids. Dispersion of these nanometer-sized (1 nm to 100 nm) particles in the conventionally used fluids like water, Ethylene glycol and oil, etc, revolutionised the area of fluid mechanics. These colloids are known as nanofluids. Hydromagnetic nanofluid flow past various geometries and its fascinating applications are discussed in this study.