Statistical investigation of heat transfer efficiency on a ternary nanoflow over a stretching surface

Ternary hybrid nanofluids offer significant advantages in heat transfer due to their enhanced thermal conductivity compared to traditional fluids. Investigating their flow behavior over expanding surfaces can contribute to the development of more efficient heat exchangers and cooling systems in the electronics, energy production, and transportation industries. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the flow and thermal transfer characteristics of a ternary hybrid nanofluid (SiO2–Cu–Al2O3/H2O) over a radially stretching surface, utilizing both numerical techniques (Keller Box method) and statistical techniques. Furthermore, the model includes factors like convective heat transport, radiation, internal fluid friction, and suction. Similarity transformations transform the governing equations for fluid flow and heat transfer into a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. Then the equations are solved numerically using the Keller Box method with the aid of MATLAB software. Additionally, we have employed statistical techniques such as correlation analysis, probable error estimation, and multivariate regression to validate and ensure the accuracy of the numerical outcomes. Parameter ranges for Biot number, radiation, unsteadiness, Eckert number, and energy generation parameter are 0.1 ≤ Mp ≤ 0.7, 0.1 ≤ Ks ≤ 1.5, 0.2 ≤ Ps ≤ 0.8, 0.1 ≤ EN ≤ 0.4, 0.5 ≤ RN ≤ 2, 1≤ BT ≤ 2.5, 0.1 ≤ Hsc ≤ 0.7 and found to significantly impact heat transfer behavior within these bounds. This study utilizes 3D surface plots to visualize the influence of key parameters on engineering quantities. R squared values show that the data strongly match the regression model. The findings demonstrate excellent concordance between the predicted values and the actual Nusselt number and skin friction measurements. Biot number has a very strong correlation with heat transfer, with minimal chance of error. And the same is evidenced by the correlation matrix and multiple regression analysis. Eckert number also exhibits a negative correlation with the Nusselt number. This translates to a situation where increasing Eckert number directly leads to a decrease in the rate of heat transfer, with no margin for error. Energy generation parameter demonstrates a negative correlation with heat transfer. However, there's a slight possibility of error, with an estimated error percentage of around 0.0017.