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The application of nanofluids has exploded in recent decades to improve the local number, mean Nusselt number, and rate of heat transfer. However, boundary layer equations of nanofluid across a flat plate with radiation have not been studied, and therefore this paper studies them mathematically for the first time. For water-based copper and aluminum oxide nanofluids, a similarity solution is presented in this study, and the subsequent system of the ordinary differential equation (ODE) is numerically solved by the Runge–Kutta method in MATLAB. Two different hydraulic boundary conditions are used in the simulations. In the first, the flow across a moving plate and the direction of the flow are analyzed, while in the second, the flow over a nonlinearly moving plate in a still fluid is investigated. The nanoparticle's boundary layer thickness is found less than the thermal and hydraulics boundary layers. The local Nusselt number and friction factor of both the nanofluids are calculated and compared with the base fluid. The results demonstrate that the friction coefficient is high and the Nusselt number is low for nanoparticles with a high volume fraction. It also revealed that the friction factor for water–aluminum oxide is 16% greater than that for the water–CuO whereas the local Nusselt number for water–aluminum oxide is only 5% more than that for the water–CuO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While forced-air convective systems remain the predominant method for heating and cooling worldwide, radiant cooling and heating systems are emerging as a more efficient alternative. Current radiant cooling systems primarily rely on hydronic chilled water systems. This study introduces direct-expansion radiant cooling as a novel technique that could enhance the efficiency of radiant cooling and reduce its environmental impact. Water (R-718) has been tested as a refrigerant due to its favorable thermodynamic properties and environmental advantages; however, to the author's knowledge, it has yet to be tested in direct-expansion radiant cooling. This research investigated several refrigerants, including water (R-718), ammonia (R-717), R-410a, R-32, R-134a, and R-1234yf, for this application. The findings indicate that water demonstrates efficiency comparable to other non-natural refrigerants, making it a promising candidate, given its favorable thermodynamic properties and substantial environmental benefits. Despite challenges such as a high compression ratio necessitating multi-stage compression, a high compressor discharge temperature exceeding 300 °C and requiring specialized blade materials, and a high suction volume flow rate, direct-expansion radiant cooling operates within a different temperature range. Consequently, the compressor discharge temperature can be reduced to 176 °C, and the compression ratio can be lowered to approximately 3.5, making water a more viable refrigerant option for this application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the computational analysis of steady, incompressible, natural convection airflow in a 2D equilateral triangular cavity featuring two stationary cold circular cylinders. The convective phenomena within the cavity have been observed under the variation of uniform porosity. The convective flow has been modeled using the Darcy-Brinkman formulations for porous medium incorporated with the Boussinesq approximation. The governing equations have been simulated using the finite element method with non-uniform triangular meshing. The investigation was conducted with a fixed Prandtl number, Pr = 0.71, and different porosity by varying Darcy number, Da = 10-5 to 10-2. The convective strength has been varied with the Rayleigh number, Ra= 10³ to 106, and the length of the heated and cold segment, ε = 0.1 to 0.9. Results regarding the fluid flow and temperature distribution are visualized through streamlines and isotherms. The quantity and the quality of heat transfer (HT) have been investigated, respectively, by the Nusselt number (Nu) and the entropy generation (Egen). The results reveal that an increase in the length of the hot wall (ε) significantly reduces HT. Also, Egen increases with the length of active segments (ε), while the Bejan number (Be) consistently rises when the Darcy-Rayleigh (Da-Ra) number increases, i.e., Da-Ra ≥ 10². The maximum HT rate was obtained within the range of Da = 10-5 to 10-3 for a constant value of ε. Furthermore, the maximum HT was obtained for the smallest value ε for any value of Da or Ra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In cold climates or winter countries, maintaining optimal room temperatures is essential for comfort and energy efficiency. Conventional square or rectangle‐shaped rooms often face challenges in achieving efficient heat transfer (HT) and uniform temperature distribution. To address these limitations, this study has been explored using curved corner cavities, varying their aspect ratio (AR = 1.0 and 0.5), and incorporating a circular shape cooler to enhance HT within the room. The curved corners promote better airflow circulation, creating a more efficient HT environment. The dimensionless governing equations and corresponding boundary conditions are solved numerically using the finite element method. This research aims to assess the optimized HT and entropy production within a curved corner cavity, varying their AR and enclosing a circular shape cooler to determine the most effective configuration for maximizing HT and energy efficiency in winter conditions. This study reveals that in the case without a cooler (WOC), the average Nusselt number (Nuavg $N{u}_{avg}$) is higher in the curved rectangle cavity compared with the curved square cavity for all Ra $Ra$ values. Using the curved square (AR = 1.0), Nuavg $N{u}_{avg}$ increases by 191.86%, while with the curved rectangle (AR = 0.5), Nuavg $N{u}_{avg}$ increases by 302.63% at Ra=106 $Ra=1{0}^{6}$. Additionally, in the case with a cooler (WC), Nuavg $N{u}_{avg}$ is higher than the case WOC and Nuavg $N{u}_{avg}$, and an average total entropy (Enavg) $(E{n}_{avg})$ increases for both the WOC and WC cases for all Ra $Ra$ values. Transitioning from a square to a curved rectangle (AR = 0.5) WC, Nuavg $N{u}_{avg}$ increases by 329.34% at Ra=106 $Ra=1{0}^{6}$. Furthermore, in the WOC case, the curved square cavity and, in the WC case, the curved rectangle show better energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics, primarily derived from plastic waste, are pervasive environmental pollutants found across aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. This review investigates microplastics' presence, distribution, and impacts in marine ecosystems, with a particular focus on fish species. Research indicates that microplastics are present in various anatomical parts of fish, including the gastrointestinal tracts and gills, with significant implications for marine biodiversity and human health through seafood consumption. The review also highlights the sources of microplastics, such as synthetic textiles, packaging, and personal care products, and explores the pathways through which these particles enter marine environments. Advanced detection techniques have identified microplastics in human tissues, underscoring the urgency of addressing this environmental threat. Comprehensive strategies are essential to mitigate microplastic pollution and protect both marine life and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenon of natural convection is the subject of significant research interest due to its widespread occurrence in both natural and industrial contexts. This study focuses on investigating natural convection phenomena within triangular enclosures, specifically emphasizing a valley-shaped configuration. Our research comprehensively analyses unsteady, non-dimensional time-varying convection resulting from natural fluid flow within a valley-shaped cavity, where the inclined walls serve as hot surfaces and the top wall functions as a cold surface. We explore unsteady natural convection flows in this cavity, utilizing air as the operating fluid, considering a range of Rayleigh numbers from Ra = 100 to 108. Additionally, various non-dimensional times τ, spanning from 0 to 5000, are examined, with a fixed Prandtl number (Pr = 0.71) and aspect ratio (A = 0.5). Employing a two-dimensional framework for numerical analysis, our study focuses on identifying unstable flow mechanisms characterized by different non-dimensional times, including symmetric, asymmetric, and unsteady flow patterns. The numerical results reveal that natural convection flows remain steady in the symmetric state for Rayleigh values ranging from 100 to 7 × 103. Asymmetric flow occurs when the Ra surpasses 7 × 103. Under the asymmetric condition, flow arrives in an unsteady stage before stabilizing at the fully formed stage for 7 × 103 < Ra < 107. This study demonstrates that periodic unsteady flows shift into chaotic situations during the transitional stage before transferring to periodic behavior in the developed stage, but the chaotic flow remains predominant in the unsteady regime with larger Rayleigh numbers. Furthermore, we present an analysis of heat transfer within the cavity, discussing and quantifying its dependence on the Rayleigh number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]