Free convection flow in a microchannel filled with porous material having temperature-dependent thermal conductivity

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of Darcy number and variable thermal conductivity on MHD free convective heat transfer in a microchannel. Approximate solution of the problem is obtained by using semi-analytical method. Most of the fluid physical properties associated with flow are displayed, analyzed, and discussed. From the results, it is found that Darcy number reduces fluid velocity in case of asymmetric heating of the microchannel at the lower plate while fluid velocity is enhanced at the upper plate. It is also observed that variable thermal conductivity enhances fluid velocity in case of both asymmetric and symmetric heating of the microchannel bounding walls. It is further seen that there is point of intersection around the center of the microchannel when both variable thermal conductivity and Darcy number are increased.