Interaction of nanoparticles with motile gyrotactic microorganisms in a Darcy-Forchheimer magnetohydrodynamic flow- A numerical study

Heliyon. 2023 Jul 5;9(7):e17840. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17840. eCollection 2023 Jul.

Abstract

The present work aims to interpret the mass and heat transferal flow through Darcy Forchheimer porous medium involving, simultaneously, microorganisms and nanoparticles. The involvement of gyrotactic microorganisms in the flow of nanoparticles reinforces the thermal characteristics of several energy systems. The amalgamation of microorganisms (microbes) in the nanofluids not only enhances the thermal properties of the fluid but it also causes the stability in the flow. Some other prominent effects such as chemical reaction and heat generation have also been taken into account. The reduced form of the governing model equations is further simplified in order to obtain the algebraic system of equations. Afterward, the approximate solution is obtained by developing an algorithm in the MATLAB software. To check the validity and efficiency of code, we have correlated our numerical outcomes with the previously accomplished ones. The outcomes are explained via the tabular and graphical representations. The flow of nanofluids will be more stable if it involves the motile microorganisms. Another example of the utilization of microorganisms is the microbial-enhanced oil recovery. In order to maintain the variation in the oil bearing layers, the microorganisms along with other nutrients can be incorporated. A significant enhancement is noticed in temperature in case of an increase in the values of heat generation and thermophoresis parameter.

Keywords: Chemical reaction; Darcy-Forchheimer flow; Gyrotactic microorganisms; Heat generation; Nanoparticles; Successive over relaxation method.