Numerical Investigation on the Effect of Prandtl Number on Isotherms, Streamlines, and Entropy Generation due to Fluid Friction, Heat Transfer, Pressure Gradient, and Magnetic Influence
Abstract
Bai Mbye Cham, Dawda Charreh, Shaiza Talib, Bakary L. Marong and Yusupha Bah
This study presents a comprehensive numerical study of the effect of the Prandtl number on thermal and fluid flow behavior, and entropy generation, in magnetohydrodynamic flows. The study analyzes the interaction between isotherms, streamlines, and entropy generation caused by fluid friction, heat transfer, pressure gradient, and magnetic forces within a two-dimensional computational domain. The governing equations for mass, momentum, and energy conservation are solved using the finite element method. The study takes into account the impact of various Prandtl numbers from low to high thermal diffusivity to identify their impact on flow structure and thermal behavior. The entropy generation rates are taken into account based on their components, such as thermal irreversibility, viscous dissipation, and magnetic effects. The findings indicate a remarkable variation in isothermal patterns, streamline structures, and entropy distribution with varying Prandtl numbers. Higher values of Prandtl numbers improve heat retention near thermal boundaries and reduced values facilitate thermal diffusion. The interaction of the magnetic field with fluid flow contributes an additional source of entropy generation, which competes with viscous forces and thermal gradients. This study provides valuable information for the optimization of thermal systems where fluid properties and magnetic fields are important considerations, examples of which may be observed in cooling systems, energy storage, and magnetohydrodynamic applications.