TURBULENT BOUNDARY LAYER FLOW IN THE PRESENCE OF CONSTANT PRESSURE GRADIENT AND THERMAL RADIATION

Abstract

This study investigates turbulent boundary layer flow under the influence of a constant pressure gradient and thermal radiation. The governing equations—continuity, momentum (a nonlinear differential equation), and energy—were solved using the He-Laplace method, which combines the Homotopy Perturbation Method with the Laplace Transform Technique. This approach yielded the velocity and temperature profiles of the flow. The effects of various fluid parameters were examined: the magnetic parameter , suction parameter  and pressure gradient  on velocity profiles; and the thermal radiation parameter  Eckert number , Prandtl number  and suction parameter  on temperature profiles. Corresponding graphs were plotted to illustrate these influences. The results indicate that an increase in the thermal radiation parameter raises the temperature field, while an increase in the magnetic parameter reduces the velocity field. A higher Prandtl number diminishes the temperature profile, and increasing the suction parameter reduces both velocity and temperature fields. Additionally, velocity increases with a greater pressure gradient, and a higher Eckert number enhances the temperature profile. These findings have practical implications in thermal processes across various engineering applications, such as in automotive systems, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power generators, and industrial operations like polymer extrusion and plastic film drainage.