Challenging thermal mechanisms in nanofluid wedge flow over a melting surface: applications of Al2O3 and CuO nanomaterials

Purpose The importance of heat transfer in nanofluids across a wedge is its vast array of real-world applications as well as the possibility of thermal performance improvement in engineering systems. Wedge-like geometry is relatively frequent in aerospace, automotive and industrial design, e.g. aircraft wings, turbine blades and heat exchangers. Thus, the purpose of this study is to analyze the comparative performance of Al2O3/H2O and CuO/H2O nanofluids through a wedge. Design/methodology/approach Keeping in mind the applications of nanomaterials and wedge geometry, the problem is designed and formulated under certain physical circumstances. The problem is studied numerically under critical ranges of dissipation, radiation, convective heating, magnetic field and nanomaterials concentration. Findings It is examined that promoting the Lorentz forces helps to control the nanofluid movement over the wedge. Thermal performance increases considerably with higher thermal radiation, Eckert number, nanoparticle concentration and Biot number because these physical factors enhance thermal energy absorption, viscous dissipation and heat transfer efficiency. But the temperature is observed to drop with increasing magnetic field since it restricts the nanofluid flow. Originality/value The findings suggest that CuO/H2O nanofluids show improved thermal performance when compared to Al2O3/H2O due to better thermal conductivity. This study would be beneficial for designing nanofluid-based heat transfer systems that can be utilized in engineering applications.