Irreversibility analysis of CNT‐enhanced Williamson nanofluid flow in a stretching cylinder

Abstract

This study presents a novel exploration into the intricate interplay of slanted magnetohydrodynamic and radiative fluxes within a Williamson fluid incorporating single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in a water‐based system. Utilizing an exponentially stretching cylinder model, the research holistically integrates entropy production, encompassing thermal radiation, porosity, buoyant forces, and heat source/sink constraints within the governing equations. To solve the resulting governing equations with boundary conditions, the shooting technique is employed to convert them into initial value problems. Subsequently, the Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg 4–5th order method is used to obtain numerical solutions. Unveiling unprecedented insights, the investigation reveals distinctive parameter dependencies governing fluid behavior. It delineates how variations in different factors distinctly impact fluid velocity, thermal profiles, entropy generation, Bejan number, drag force, and heat transfer rates across different nanofluid compositions. Furthermore, the study highlights the transformative impact of nanocomposites on altering the thermal properties of the fluid and orchestrating nanofluid mobility. The results show that MWCNTs have an enhanced entropy generation rate when compared to SWCNTs. These findings bear substantial promise for real‐world applications involving water‐based nanofluids, shedding light on their manipulation and optimization in various technological domains.