Unsteady MHD mixed convection along an exponentially stretching surface: Impact of opposing buoyancy

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the unsteady mixed convection along an exponentially stretching surface in presence of transverse magnetic field applied at the wall and the opposing buoyancy flow.

Design/methodology/approach

The dimensional partial differential equations governing the flow field are transformed to non-dimensional coupled partial differential equations with the aid of suitable non-similar transformations. The resulting equations are then solved by the coalition of quasilinearization technique and the finite difference method.

Findings

Effects of volumetric heat source/sink, suction/blowing and other dimensionless parameters on velocity and temperature profiles are examined numerically. This investigation reveals that in presence of opposing buoyancy flow, the suction and volumetric heat source enhances the skin-friction coefficient, while the rise in the MHD increases the momentum boundary layer.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no such investigation has been carried out in the literature.

Citation

Patil, P.M., A., S. and Momoniat, E. (2018), "Unsteady MHD mixed convection along an exponentially stretching surface: Impact of opposing buoyancy", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 28 No. 12, pp. 2769-2783. https://doi.org/10.1108/HFF-08-2017-0307