Irreversibility analysis and thermosolutal transport in baffled cavities for advanced thermal management applications

Purpose Efficient thermal management is critical for enhancing the performance and reliability of modern energy storage systems while minimizing energy losses. This study aims to investigate thermosolutal convection and entropy generation in a partially heated baffled cavity filled with a Casson ternary hybrid nanofluid. Design/methodology/approach A two-dimensional numerical model is developed by incorporating non-Newtonian Casson fluid behavior and buoyancy-driven flow. The governing equations are solved using a higher-order compact finite difference scheme to ensure high computational accuracy. The physical configuration includes a T-shaped baffle and a localized heat source along the bottom wall to promote flow mixing and regulate thermal distribution. Findings The results indicate that the combined effects of geometric baffling and partial heating significantly enhance convective circulation and improve temperature uniformity within the cavity. Entropy generation increases by 42.2% with heater length and by 53% with increasing Lewis number, highlighting stronger irreversibility due to coupled heat and mass transfer. Additionally, kinetic energy rises by approximately 65% with increasing Rayleigh number, indicating intensified convection. Internal heat generation and heater location further increase entropy generation by 15.3% and 38%, respectively. Originality/value This study demonstrates that the integration of Casson ternary hybrid nanofluids with optimized baffled configurations provides an effective strategy for enhancing thermal transport, flow control and energy efficiency in advanced energy storage systems.