Study of nanofluid flow in a stationary cone–disk system with temperature-dependent viscosity and thermal conductivity

The substantial temperature gradient experienced by systems operating at relatively high temperatures significantly impacts the transport characteristics of fluids. Hence, considering temperature-dependent fluid properties is critical for obtaining realistic prediction of fluid behavior and optimizing system performance. The current study focuses on the flow of nanofluids in a stationary cone–disk system (SCDS), taking into account temperature-dependent thermal conductivity and viscosity. The influence of Brownian motion, thermophoresis, and Rosseland radiative flux on the heat transport features are also examined. The Reynolds model for viscosity and Chiam's model for thermal conductivity are employed. The Navier–Stokes equation, the energy equation, the incompressibility condition, and the continuity equation for nanoparticles constitute the governing system. The Lie-group transformations lead the self-similar ordinary differential equations, which are then solved numerically. Multi-variate non-linear regression models for the rate of heat and mass transfers on the disk surface were developed. Our study reveals a notable decrease in the rate of heat and mass transfer when pre-swirl exists in the flow. The significant influence of nanofluid slip mechanisms on the effective temperature and nanofluid volume fraction (NVF) within the system is highlighted. Furthermore, the variable viscosity property enhances the temperature and NVF of the SCDS.