Free convective flow of couple stress fluid between vertical parallel plates in the presence of internal heat source

Abstract

The fully developed free convective, couple stress fluid flow between vertical parallel plates is studied in the presence of temperature dependent heat source. The basic equations are solved analytically using regular perturbation method and numerically using Runge-Kutta-Gill method. The velocity and temperature profiles are displayed graphically. It is noted that velocity and temperature decreases with increase in couple stress parameter whereas flow increases with increase in internal heat source. It is shown that analytical solutions are valid for N < 1 and several features of effect of large N are reported. The effect of couple stress parameter, heat source and buoyancy parameters on the mass flow rate, skin friction and rate of heat transfer is also analysed.