Radiation effects on natural convection flow over an inclined flat plate with temperature-dependent viscosity

Abstract

The effect of radiation on laminar natural convection flow of a viscous incompressible fluid over a semi-infinite flat plate inclined at a small angle to the horizontal with strong temperature-dependent viscosity has been investigated. The Rosseland approximation is considered while modelling the problem. The non-similar equations are obtained for upstream, downstream, and entire regimes, which are then solved numerically. For constant viscosity, the series solution technique has been employed in order to obtain solutions that are valid near the leading edge as well as in the downstream regime. Later, solutions of the governing equations have been obtained using the finite difference method along with the Keller box technique, taking into consideration variable viscosity. Effects of physical parameters like conduction—radiation para-meter Rd, surface temperature parameter θw, variable viscosity parameter λ, and Prandtl number Pr are shown on the local skin-friction coefficient Cf and the local Nusselt number, Nu. Effects of the parameters on the streamlines are also shown around the point of separation that occurs along the negatively inclined surface.