Numerical Computation and Entropy Generation Analysis in Ternary Hybrid Nanofluid in the Presence of Variable Thermal Conductivity: A Comparative Study

ABSTRACT Efficient thermal management is crucial in modern engineering systems such as energy devices, cooling technologies, and chemical processing, where advanced nanofluids offer improved heat transfer performance. Entropy generation in magnetohydrodynamic flow of ternary hybrid nanoliquid over a stretching disk is the main focus of the current study. The analysis incorporates copper , alumina , and titanium dioxide as three distinct nanoparticles. Various thermal aspects, including viscous dissipation, Ohmic heating, and variable thermal conductivity, are also studied. The thermal energy analysis incorporates the utilization of the Xue model. The nonlinear partial differential equations governing velocity and temperature profiles are transformed into ordinary differential equations using appropriate similarity transformations. The numerical solution to the current problem is computed using the Matlab routine, which implements the finite difference method. The impact of relevant parameters, including unsteadiness parameter , magnetic parameter , volume fraction of and , Eckert number , Biot number , thermal conductivity parameter , temperature ratio parameter , and Brinkmann number on flow dynamic, heat transfer, entropy, and the Bejan number are analyzed. The results show that the thermal conductivity variation parameter showed significant effects on , temperature profile, and thermodynamic irreversibility. Entropy generation is augmented with higher magnetic number, Brinkman number, and thermal conductivity parameter. The Nusselt number demonstrated higher values within the ternary hybrid nanofluid compared to both the nanofluid and hybrid nanofluid across various parameters. The Nusselt number increases by approximately – with increasing the thermal conductivity parameter. In comparison to the nanofluid and the hybrid nanofluid, the ternary hybrid nanofluid showed enhancement in both heat transmission and the irreversibility effects. The findings of this study are beneficial for the design of advanced thermal systems, including heat exchangers, cooling devices, and energy systems where enhanced heat transfer and controlled entropy generation are required.