Optimizing Flow and Heat Transfer in Thermal Systems: A Study of Cone-Shaped Flow with Temperature Dependent Viscosity and Thermal Conductivity

This study investigates the laminar transport process due to a cone-shaped moving body of revolution, considering the effects of temperature-dependent viscosity and thermal conductivity. Considering variable flow properties and a cone- shaped surface introduces a variable viscosity parameter (𝜃𝑒), a variable thermal con- ductivity parameter (𝜖), and a curvature parameter (𝐾) in the self-similar transformed equations derived from the governing equations of fluid and heat transfer using nondimensional variables. The effects of these parameters on the flow and heat transfer characteristics, comprising flow velocity, skin-friction coefficient, temperature, and Nusselt number, are investigated numerically using the bvp4c command implemented in MATLAB. Results reveal that the transport process within the boundary layer is considerably altered by variations in the parameters 𝜃𝑒 and 𝜖 , demonstrating significant deviations from the outcomes obtained with constant flow properties. Current calculations are aligned well with the limiting case of constant flow properties. These findings can aid in optimizing heat dissipation and enhancing the efficiency of thermal systems, including polymer extrusion, metal forming, chemical reactors, and filtration systems.