Entropy generation and heat transfer in a partly heated I-shaped porous enclosure with hybrid nanofluids under magnetic and radiative effects

Abstract

This work examines entropy generation and the heat transfer of two distinct nanofluids in free convection inside a partly heated and cooled I-shaped porous enclosure, influenced by an angled magnetic field and thermal radiation. The governing equations have been non-dimensionalized and solved using the finite-difference approach along with the Marker and Cell (MAC) methodology in-house MATLAB solver. This study aims to utilize numerical simulations to examine the influence of factors including nanoparticle volume fraction, Rayleigh number, Darcy number, Hartmann number, heat source/sink, and thermal radiation on the heat transfer and fluid flow properties within the cavity. The findings are shown using streamlines, isotherm contours, Nusselt number distributions, and entropy generation graphs. The results indicate that elevating the Rayleigh number and augmenting the nanoparticle volume fraction enhance the heat transfer rate in both nanofluid conditions. A higher Darcy number alters the vortex structure and markedly boosts the flow velocity. The Cu-Fe3O4 demonstrates superior performance in high convection and low permeability, whereas MoS2-Fe3O4 maintains stability under diverse conditions. These types of problems enhance electronic component cooling, thermal insulation in energy systems, and design optimization in heat exchangers, rendering them significant in energy storage, microelectronics, and chemical process engineering.