Flow and heat transfer of two micropolar fluids separated by a viscous fluid layer

Abstract

An analysis of the viscous fluid sandwiched between micropolar fluids is presented. The channel walls are maintained at two different constant temperatures. The transport properties of the fluids in all regions are assumed to be constant. Exact analytical solutions are found by integrating the governing equations and also by using seminumerical-analytical method called Differential Transform Method. The solutions are also evaluated numerically and shown graphically for various governing parameters on velocity, microrotation velocity and temperature profiles. The variation of the rate of heat transfer, skin friction and mass flow rate for different values of viscosity ratio (0.5 ? m ? 2.0), conductivity ratio (0.1 ? Cr ? 2.0), material parameter (0 ? K ? 2), Eckert number (0.1 ? Ec ? 2.0), and Prandtl number (0.1 ? Pr ? 2.0) are presented in tabular form. It is found that the rate of heat transfer decreases at the top plate and increases at the bottom plate for variations of viscosity ratio, material parameter, conductivity ratio, Eckert number and Prandtl number. The mass flow rate decreases as the viscosity ratio and material parameter increases whereas it is not affected for variations of conductivity ratio, Eckert number and Prandtl number. © 2016 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.