This study presents a detailed numerical investigation into the flow and heat transfer characteristics of nanofluids in microchannels embedded with porous inserts. Utilizing the finite volume method (FVM), the coupled equations of mass, momentum, and energy are solved under laminar, steady-state conditions to capture the complex interplay between fluid dynamics, thermal conduction, and porous media effects. The working fluid, an Al 2 O 3 water nanofluid, is analyzed across a range of Reynolds numbers, nanoparticle volume fractions, and porous insert permeabilities. The results demonstrate that the introduction of porous inserts significantly enhances convective heat transfer by promoting thermal mixing and disrupting boundary layers, particularly at moderate to high Reynolds numbers. Key performance indicators such as streamline behavior, temperature distribution, and Nusselt number profiles reveal notable improvements in thermal efficiency. This investigation provides valuable insights for the design and optimization of advanced microscale heat exchangers using hybrid enhancement techniques.
Naima Benmakhlouf (Fri,) studied this question.