Research Article

Thermally stratified nanofluid flow over porous surface cone

with Cattaneo–Christov heat flux approach and heat generation (or)
absorption
Sawan Kumar Rawat1 · Himanshu Upreti1 · Manoj Kumar1

Received: 3 December 2019 / Accepted: 22 January 2020

© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020

Abstract
This study deals with Cu-water nanofluid flow over porous surface cone in a thermally stratified medium. Heat transfer is
examined with Cattaneo–Christov heat flux model instead of Fourier’s law along heat generation/absorption. Effects of
free convection, magnetic field and suction are also reported. Transformations are utilized to attain constitutive laws of
flow in form of ordinary differential equations, which are then dealt with Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg and shooting scheme.
Physical impacts of parameters involved are discussed and presented graphically and through tabular values. Velocity
enhances with Grashof number but not with magnetic parameter. Heat generation/absorption, thermal stratification
and thermal relaxation parameter reduces temperature. The effect of heat generation/absorption and thermal relaxa-
tion parameter is to increase heat transfer. Results reveal that effects of thermal stratification parameter becomes less
dominant to wall heat transfer coefficient with intensification in heat generation/absorption parameter.

Keywords  Cattaneo–Christov model · Thermal stratification · Nanofluid · Suction · Heat · Generation/absorption

1 Introduction ones to boost the thermal performance of the fluids. Hayat

Many natural and industrial process experience heat trans-
fer phenomenon. Heat transfer regulates because of the
existence of temperature difference between two different
entities or when temperature difference arises between
different parts of same entity. The never ending and
strictly growing demands in the field of micro-electron-
ics, fuel cells and other industrial domain have compelled
researchers and scientists to discuss and improve the heat
transfer performance of new developing machineries and
technologies. The idea of Choi [1] to suspend the nano-
sized particles in the base fluid to increase the thermal
conductivity of traditional fluids was major breakthrough
in this field. He validated his theory with experimental evi-
dences and concluded that nanofluids are most suitable
et al. [2] studied the flow of carbon water nanofluid under
the effect of Marangoni convection. They focused on the
flow with carbon nanotubes and presented a comparative
analysis of flow with both single-walled and multi-walled
carbon tubes. Qayyum et al. [3] investigated a thermal
radiative nanofluid flow rich in silver and copper water
nanoparticles in presence of homogeneous and hetero-
geneous reactions. Khan et al. [4] provided the insight
into the incompressible and steady state flow problem
where flow of Maxwell liquid was induced by the sheet
of variable thickness. They also utilized the homogene-
ous and heterogeneous reactions to study heat and mass
transfer. Hayat et al. [5] investigated the non-linear flow of
micropolar nanofluid subjected to thermal radiation and
effects of Brownian motion. Later, many relevant studies

*  Sawan Kumar Rawat, sawan.rawat@gmail.com; Himanshu Upreti, hupretidream@gmail.com; Manoj Kumar,

mnj_kumar2004@yahoo.com | 1Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture
and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand 263145, India.

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Research Article SN Applied Sciences (2020) 2:302
(see [6–14]) were published investigating the nanofluid
flow to analyze their heat transfer performance. However,
in the above mentioned studies features of heat transfer
have been analyzed by the heat conduction law proposed
by Fourier’s [15]. The model given by Fourier reflects the
parabolic nature of energy equation and implies that any
temperature difference felt in any fragment of element is
immediately transferred to whole element with zero time
lag. The behavior of heat transfer is never seen without a
time lag (i.e., heat transfer occurs slowly and takes time).
Cattaneo [16] noticed this ambiguity and added a ther-
mal relaxation time factor in the existing Fourier’s model.
Physically, he stated that heat transfer occurs as described
in Fourier’s model but with a time lag (i.e., with a limited
speed). The changes made by him also altered the nature
of energy equation from a parabolic to hyperbolic type.
Later, Christov [17] worked and gave his theory for material
invariance. He along with thermal relaxation time factor,
also introduced Oldroyd’s upper convected derivatives
to support his theory. Han et al. [18] and Hayat et al. [19]
conducted their study of heat transfer in viscoelastic fluid
and Maxwell fluid, respectively using model developed by
Cattaneo and Christov. The study of Han et al. [18] consid-
ered two dimensional steady flow over stretching plate
in absence of pressure gradient and presence of velocity
slip condition. Hayat et al. [19] investigated the flow over
stretching sheet of variable thickness and variable ther-
mal conductivity. The model developed in the study of [18]
and [19] were solved using Homotopy Analysis Method.
Hayat et al. [20] studied the incompressible Jeffrey fluid
flowing past a nonlinear stretching surface with double
stratification and first order chemical reaction effects.
Alamri et al. [21] used Cattaneo–Christov model to discuss
a fluid flow model of second grade fluid flowing through a
stretching cylinder in presence of external magnetic field.
They derived an analytical solution of their problem and
also discussed the effect of chemical reaction and ther-
mal relaxation time factor. Hayat et al. [22] developed a
model based on flow of Jeffrey fluid by a rotating disk with
variable thickness and also confirmed that thermal relaxa-
tion time parameter signifies that temperature for Catta-
neo–Christov model is less than that for Fourier’s model.
Upadhya et al. [23] presented a theoretical study of MHD
nanofluid in which graphene and dust nanoparticles were
suspended. The fluid flow model developed by them was
time dependent flow in presence of non-linear convection.
Hayat et al. [24] gave the solution of the stagnation point
flow of Maxwell fluid of variable thermal conductivity and
they analyzed the heat transfer performance of the devel-
oped model using the Cattaneo–Christov model.
The vast applications of magnetohydrodynamics
(MHD) in the field of science, physical engineering pro-
cesses, medicine, hydro pumps, separation of magnetic
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cells, optical gratings and MHD generators compels one
to study its effect in the boundary layers flow problems.
The strength and alignment of the magnetic field changes
the behavior of boundary layer flow. The orientation of
nanoparticles also depends on the interaction of mag-
netic field and electrically conducting fluid. Thus, hydro-
magnetic nanoparticles are identified with both fluid
and magnetic properties. The more adhesive nature of
magnetic nanoparticles to tumor cells makes them very
useful in cancer therapy and tumor analysis. Magneto
nanofluids guide the nanoparticles with blood current to
the tumor with magnets and helps to identify its location.
Hayat et al. [25] studied magnetic field effects in nano-
fluid flow and also considered the slip of second order with
homogenous and heterogeneous reactions. Kameswaran
et al. [26] investigated magnetic field effects on nanofluid
flow over stretching (or shrinking) sheet. They compared
the behavior of two nanofluids, namely, Cu-water and
Ag-water in their study. They stated that with magnetic
field, rate of wall heat transfer slows down. Hayat et al.
[27] took Oldroyd-B nanofluid to study magnetic effects
over stretching sheet with heat source/sink. Hayat et al.
[28] studied the entropy generation in three dimensional
flow of conductive fluid due to rotating disk in presence
of magnetic field. Khan et al. [29] investigated stagnation
point flow of Casson fluid towards a stretching sheet sub-
jected to magnetic field. Farooq et al. [30] considered the
MHD flow of viscoelastic nanofluid with non-linear radia-
tion effects. Hayat et al. [31] investigated the flow of Car-
reau fluid caused by a sheet of variable thickness under
presence of magnetic field and convective heating. Khan
et al. [32] studied the incompressible flow over slender-
ing sheet of a Casson liquid in presence of non-uniform
magnetic field. Hayat et al. [33] performed a theoretical
study on flow of nanofluid due to rotating disk under the
effects of magnetic field, Joule heating and thermal radia-
tion. They also provided the comparative analysis of cop-
per water nanofluid and silver water nanofluid under same
physical and boundary conditions.
All the aforementioned literature is limited to hydro-
magnetic and heat transfer flow problems. However, in
the recent times, these two types of flows have become
important in industrial, geophysical and bioengineering
processes. Also, one can see the considerable temperature
difference that exists between the wall and the ambient
fluid. So, in these cases it becomes important to consider
the applications of heat sources or sinks which are tem-
perature dependent because they have strong influence
on attributes of heat transfer. There exists many past stud-
ies dealing with heat generation (or) absorption in heat
transfer flows. Upreti et al. [34] have considered have con-
sidered the temperature-dependent heat source/sink to
study the behavior of Ag-water nanofluid flow through
SN Applied Sciences (2020) 2:302 | https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-020-2099-3 Research Article
stretching flat plate in porous medium. Sandeep and
Reddy [35] took the space and temperature-dependent
heat source/sink to study the flow of Cu-water nanofluid.
They presented a comparative analysis of Cu-water nano-
fluid over two different geometries wedge and cone in
presence of viscous dissipation and Joule heating. Hayat
et al. [36] focused on entropy generation in viscous nano-
fluid flow over stretching surface in presence of mag-
netic field and heat generation/absorption. Khan et al.
[37] studied stagnation point flow of chemically reac-
tive Cross nanofluid under the effect of heat generation/
absorption. There are very few studies dealing with heat
generation (or) absorption and Cattaneo–Christov model
together. For instance, Anjum et al. [38] studied the flow of
second grade fluid which was induced by linearly stretch-
ing Riga plate. They studied the heat transfer aspects of
the flow with Cattaneo–Christov model and heat gen-
eration/absorption. Irfan et al. [39] investigated a three
dimensional flow of Carreau fluid towards a bi-directional
stretched surface using Cattaneo–Christov model. They
also utilized the effect of heat generation/absorption and
heterogeneous/homogeneous reactions in their study.
Another study with the combination of Cattaneo–Christov
model and heat generation/absorption was presented by
Rehman et al. [40]. They modeled a fluid flow problem over
linearly stretchable sheet to discuss the stagnation point
flow of Sutterby fluid.
The temperature difference between different layers of
the single medium leads to development of the thermally
stratified medium, where different layers have diverse
densities. This phenomenon is often found in lakes and
ponds, which controls the ratio of oxygen and hydrogen
to support the species growth. The application of solutal
and thermal stratification are not only restricted to natural
processes but are also found in the agriculture, fisheries,
oceanography, chemical and geophysical flows. An incom-
pressible and viscous mixed convective boundary layer
flow towards a stretching cylinder in a thermally stratified
medium was studied by Mukhopadhyay and Ishak [41].
Khan et al. [42] studied the heat and mass transfer phe-
nomenon in flow of Maxwell liquid under the combined
effects of magnetic field and stratification phenomena.
Mukhopadhyay et al. [43] presented the numerical solu-
tion of the incompressible boundary layer flow induced
by vertical stretching surface in a thermally stratified and
porous medium. Some of the authors like Hayat et al. [44]
also utilized the double stratification effects i.e., tempera-
ture and concentration stratification effects to study the
fluid flow. They studied thermally radiative mixed con-
vective flow of Oldroyd-B fluid with chemical reaction in a
medium with double stratification effects. Hayat et al. [45]
investigated the effects of double stratifications and mixed
convection in the flow of thixotropic nanofluid flowing
over stretching surface. There are very few studies which
have utilized the Cattaneo–Christov model and strati-
fications effects together. One for instance is the study
of Hayat et al. [46]. They studied the two-dimensional
stagnation point flow of Jeffery fluid towards a stretched
cylinder which was placed horizontally utilizing the Cat-
taneo–Christov model in a thermally stratified medium.
Aforementioned studies clearly indicate that although
many researchers have discussed the characteristic of the
Cattaneo–Christov heat flux model but a lot of its appli-
cations are yet to be explored in flow problems. Our aim
through this study is to fill such gap in existing literature.
Literature search revealed that recently many research-
ers and scientists have interestingly explored the Catta-
neo–Christov heat flux model under various physical con-
ditions but no such attempts have been made to study the
nanofluid flow over cone to explore the attributes of heat
transfer utilizing Cattaneo–Christov model together with
heat generation (or) generation and thermally stratified
flow. Generally, when a fluid flow through any medium,
we witness the production of heat due to active metabo-
lism. As it is accountable and an important factor during
fluid flow. So, we have studied heat transport with thermal
stratification and heat generation/absorption. This discus-
sion can be useful in different fields of engineering, chem-
istry, industry related to polymer production because all of
them witness production of heat and deal with heat trans-
fer phenomenon. Moreover, present study also explores
the effects of magnetic field, free convection, porous
medium and suction using the effective nanofluid model
of thermal conductivity. By the use of similarity transfor-
mations, the governing equations were transformed to
ordinary coupled differential equations and were solved
using R–K–F and shooting scheme. Results are showcased
through graphs and tables for different numeric values of
pertinent parameters. The coefficient of drag and Nusselt
number are also discussed numerically and presented via
tables.
2 Formulation of mathematical problem
2.1 Analysis of flow
This study deals with two dimensional, steady, incom-
pressible, laminar free convective nanofluid flow over a
porous vertical cone. As depicted in Fig. 1, here x meas-
ures the distance from the apex of cone along the surface
of the cone and y is measured perpendicular to it. Also, a
magnetic field of strength Bo is applied along the y-axis.
The radius and half angle of the cone are denoted by r
and α, respectively. Cattaneo–Christov heat flux model as
a substitute of classical Fourier’s model is implemented
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Table 1  Thermo-physical properties of water and Copper (Cu) nan-

oparticles [36, 48]
ρ (kg/m3) Cp (J/ k (W/mK) β (1/K) σ (S/m)
kgK)

Water 997.1 4179 0.613 21.4 × 10−6 0.005

Copper 8933 385 401 17 × 10−6 5.98 × 107
(Cu)

𝜐f x ⎫
u = uw = , v = vw at y = 0⎪
l2 ⎬ (3)
Fig. 1  Physical model and coordinate system u→0 when y → ∞ ⎪
⎭

The present problem represents the flow over cone

to analyze heat transfer. This study considers the thermal
stratified medium, which implies that temperature is vari-
able at the wall of cone and away from the surface of cone.
The spherical shaped copper nanoparticles are dispersed
in the base fluid (water). In present analysis, the volumetric
rate of heat generation q″ [W/m−3] is considered:
{ is suction/injection velocity.
Qo (T − T∞ ), T ≥ T∞
q�� =
0, T < T∞
shaped geometry when n = 1. Here, u and v represents
velocity components in x and y directions respectively, β
is volumetric thermal expansion coefficient, υ is kinematic
viscosity, ρ is density, μ is dynamic viscosity, g is accelera-
tion by gravity, σ is electrical conductivity, Ko is perme-
ability of porous medium, l is characteristic length and vw
Using the following transformations and nanofluid
parameters (see Table 1),

y 𝜐f x � (n + 1) 𝜇f (𝜌𝛽)nf (𝜌𝛽)p ⎫
𝜂= , u= f (𝜂), v = −𝜐 f f (𝜂), 𝜇 nf = , = (1 − 𝜙) + 𝜙 = C,⎪
l l2 l (1 − 𝜙)2.5 (𝜌𝛽)f (𝜌𝛽)f ⎪
� � ⎬ (4)
𝜌nf (𝜌)p 𝜎nf 3(𝜎 − 1)𝜙 𝜎p ⎪
= (1 − 𝜙) + 𝜙 = D, = 1+ = F, 𝜎 = ⎪
𝜌f (𝜌)f 𝜎f (𝜎 + 2) − (𝜎 − 1)𝜙 𝜎f ⎭

and Qo stands for heat generation (or) absorption where subscript nf stands for nanofluid, f for base fluid and
coefficient. p for nanoparticles, respectively.
On account of above mentioned assumptions, the flow The continuity eqation is identically satisfied and
governing equations reduce to following form [47]: Eqs. (2) and (3) yield
[ ( )2 ]
Continuity-equation 𝜕3 f 𝜕2 f 𝜕f 𝜕f 𝜕f
A 3 + D (n + 1)f 2 − + CGr𝛩 − FM − AP = 0,
𝜕𝜂 𝜕𝜂 𝜕𝜂 𝜕𝜂 𝜕𝜂
𝜕(r n u) 𝜕(r n v)
+ = 0, (1) (5)
𝜕x 𝜕y
= 1 at 𝜂 = 0⎫
𝜕f
where r = x sin(𝛼) f = S,
𝜕𝜂 ⎪
⎬ (6)
Momentum-equation 𝜕f ⎪
→ 0 as 𝜂 → ∞
( ) ( 2 ) 𝜕𝜂 ⎭
( ) 𝜕u 𝜕u 𝜕 u ( ) ( 4 )
𝜌nf u +v = 𝜇nf + g(𝜌𝛽)nf T − T∞ l g𝛽f cos 𝛼(Tw −To )
𝜕x 𝜕y 𝜕y 2 where Gr = is Grashof number (free con-
𝜇
𝜐2f x ( )
𝜎f Bo2 l 2
cos 𝛼 − 𝜎nf Bo2 u − nf u vection parameter), M = 𝜌 𝜐 is magnetic parameter,
Ko ( 2) f f ( )
(2) P = Kl is porosity parameter, S = 𝜐 (n+1)
−vw l
is suction/
o f

Above equations are subjected to following boundary injection parameter and A(= (1 − 𝜙)−2.5 ) is the dimension-
conditions: less parameter.

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2.2 Heat transfer analysis by means of Cattaneo– Using the following transformation and nanofluid
Christov model parameters (see Table 1),

T − T∞ (𝜌Cp )nf (𝜌Cp )p

The energy equation for nanofluid in two-dimensional 𝛩(𝜂) = , = (1 − 𝜙) + 𝜙 = B,
form is written as: Tw − To (𝜌Cp )f (𝜌Cp )f
( ) knf (kp + 2kf ) − 2𝜙(kf − kp )
𝜕T 𝜕T = =E
(𝜌Cp )nf u +v = −∇ ⋅ q, (7) kf (kp + 2kf ) + 𝜙(kf − kp ) (12)
𝜕x 𝜕y
along with Eqs. (4), (10) and (11) become

� �2 � �2
⎡ 𝜕f 𝜕f 𝜕2 f 𝜕2 f 𝜕f 𝜕𝛩 ⎤
⎢ 𝛩 + St − (n + 1)f 2 𝛩 + (n + 1)2 f
− St(n + 1)f
2 ⎥
E 𝜕2 𝛩 Q 𝜕𝛩 𝜕f 𝜕f 𝜕𝜂 𝜕𝜂 𝜕𝜂 𝜕𝜂 𝜕𝜂 𝜕𝜂 ⎥
+ 𝛩 + (n + 1)f − 𝛩 − St − 𝜁⎢ � � =0
BPr 𝜕𝜂 2 B 𝜕𝜂 𝜕𝜂 𝜕𝜂 ⎢ 𝜕f 𝜕𝛩 2
2 2𝜕 𝛩 Q 𝜕f 𝜕𝛩 ⎥
⎢ − 2(n + 1)f + (n + 1) f − 𝛩 − (n + 1)f ⎥
⎣ 𝜕𝜂 𝜕𝜂 𝜕𝜂 2 B 𝜕𝜂 𝜕𝜂 ⎦
(13)
}
where T stands for temperature, q the heat flux and Cp the 𝛩(𝜂) = 1 − St at 𝜂 = 0
specific heat. The Cattaneo–Christov expression for heat (14)
𝛩(𝜂) → 0 as 𝜂 → ∞
flux is given as [18–24]:
( (𝜌C ) 𝜐 )
[ ] where Pr = kp f f stands for Prandtl number,
𝜕q ( )
q + 𝜏o + 𝐯 ⋅ ∇q − q ⋅ ∇𝐯+(∇ ⋅ 𝐯)q = −k∇T , (8) Q l2
f

𝜕t Q = (𝜌C o) 𝜐 for heat generation/absorption parameter,

( )f f
p
d
where 𝜏o denotes thermal relaxation time, k stands for St = d1 for thermal stratification parameter and
( )
thermal conductivity and v denotes velocity. It is to be 𝜏 𝜐
𝜁 = ol 2 f for thermal relaxation parameter.
noted that for 𝜏o = 0 , Eq. (8) takes the form of Fourier’s
law of heat conduction. Now, utilizing the steady state and 2.3 Physical quantities
incompressibility condition, Eq. (8) reduces to,
The quantities of engineering interest are as such, skin fric-
q + 𝜏o [𝐯 ⋅ ∇q − q ⋅ ∇𝐯] = −k∇T , (9) tion coefficient
One important feature of C–C model is that as thermal √ f �� (0)
relaxation time increases, the decaying nature of thermal Cf∗ = Cf Rex = (15)
(1 − 𝜙)2.5
waves is noticed through their amplitudes. Now eliminat-
ing ‘q’ between Eqs. (7) and (9) and introducing the effects and, non-dimensional wall heat transfer coefficient
of heat generation (or) absorption, we obtain
� � � �
⎡ 2
2𝜕 T 𝜕u 𝜕u 𝜕T 𝜕v 𝜕v 𝜕T ⎤
� � ⎢ u + u + v + u + v
𝜕x 2 𝜕x 𝜕y 𝜕x 𝜕x 𝜕y 𝜕y ⎥ 2
(𝜌Cp )nf u
𝜕T
+v
𝜕T
+ 𝜏o (𝜌Cp )nf ⎢ � �⎥ = knf 𝜕 T + Q0 (T − T∞ ) (10)
𝜕x 𝜕y ⎢ 𝜕2 T 𝜕2 T Q0 𝜕(T − T∞ ) 𝜕(T − T∞ ) ⎥ 𝜕y 2
⎢ +2uv + v2 2 − u +v ⎥
⎣ 𝜕x𝜕y 𝜕y (𝜌C )
p nf 𝜕x 𝜕y ⎦

with boundary conditions, Nu kf

Nux∗ = √ = −𝛩� (0) (16)
} Rex k nf
T = Tw = To + dx at y = 0
(11) uw x
T = T∞ = To + d1 x as y → ∞ where Rex = 𝜐f
and prime denotes differentiation w.r.t. η.

where Qo is heat generation (or) absorption coefficient,

(Tw , T∞ , To ) denotes wall, ambient and reference tem-
perature, respectively and (d, d1 ) represents dimensional
constants.
3 Numerical method
The Eqs.  (5) and (13) governing the flow with bound-
ary conditions (6) and (14) are solved numeri-
cally by utilizing Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg method

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System (17) of equations is solved by finding the appro-

priate choice for missing slope values i.e., h1 = f �� (0) and
h2 = 𝛩� (0) . Computations are performed with step length
0.0001 and to match the far field conditions a suitable finite
𝜂max{ was taken. The iterative procedure } is stopped when
max ||g2 (𝜂max ) − 0||, ||g4 (𝜂max ) − 0|| ≤ 10−5 (error toler-
ance). For validation and accuracy of the present code,
Table 2 is outlined to present comparison with published
results of Vajravelu and Nayfeh [47] under the special case.
The results are found to be in very good agreement.

4 Results and discussion

In this section, we present the physical interpreta-

Fig. 2  Flow chart of shooting method
with shooting technique (see Fig.  2). We substitute
g1 = f , g2 = f � , g3 = f �� , g4 = 𝛩, g5 = 𝛩� and obtained
the system of ODEs consisting of five first order equations:
tions of the impact of pertinent parameters on veloc-
ity, temperature, skin friction and heat transfer
coefficient. Plots and Tables are outlined to demon-
strate the results. Throughout this study for numeri-
cal computations, the default values are set as:
S = Gr = M = P = Q = 1, St = 0.2, 𝜁 = 0.4, 𝜙 = 0.1, Pr = 6.2. Any
deviation from the default value is pointed out in the apt
figures and tables. Table 3 presents the behavior of skin
friction and heat transfer coefficient due to varying param-
eters. Skin friction coefficient, which relates with drag coef-
ficient at the surface of cone is seen to decrease with M,
P, St, 𝜁  , Q and S whereas opposite trend in case of Gr is

�
g1 = g2 ; g1 (0) = S ⎫
� ⎪
g2 = g3 ; g2 (0) = 1 ⎪
� 1� � ⎪
g3 = −D((n + 1)g1 g3 − g22 ) − CGrg4 + MFg2 + APg2 ; g3 (0) = h1 ⎪
A ⎪
�
g4 = g5 ; g4 (0) = 1 − St ⎪
⎪
⎧ −Q ⎫ ⎪
⎪ B g4 − (n + 1)g1 g5 + g2 g4 + Stg2 ⎪ ⎬ (17)
⎪ ⎪ ⎪
⎪ ⎡ g2 g4 + Stg2 − St(n + 1)g1 g3
2 2 ⎤⎪ ⎪
� ⎪ ⎢ ⎥⎪� E �−1 ⎪
g5 = ⎨ + 𝜁 ⎢ − (n + 1)g1 g3 g4 + (n + 1)2 g1 g2 g5 ⎥⎬ − 𝜁(n + 1)2 g12 ; g5 (0) = h2 ⎪
⎪ ⎢ − 2(n + 1)g g g ⎥⎪ BPr ⎪
⎪ ⎣ 1 2 5 ⎦⎪ ⎪
⎪ Q� � ⎪ ⎪
⎪ − 𝜁 g2 g4 − (n + 1)g1 g5 ⎪ ⎪
⎩ B ⎭ ⎭

Table 2  Comparison of values Q Pr Gr M s Present results Vajravelu and Nayfeh [47]

of f �� (0) and −𝜃 � (0) with results
of Vajravelu and Nayfeh [47] ��
f (0) �
−𝜃 (0) f �� (0) −𝜃 � (0)
when P = ζ = ϕ = 0
− 5 0.3 − 0.5 1 − 2.1 − 0.15559221 − 2.2374764635 − 0.155592 − 2.237475
− 5 0.3 − 0.5 1 2.1 − 0.15600196 − 2.23278567 − 0.156001 − 2.232780
− 5 0.3 − 0.5 3 2.1 − 0.12640183 − 2.23373586 − 0.126400 − 2.233732
1 1.0 0.5 3 2.1 0.32899477 0.79855920 0.328994 0.798537

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Table 3  Numerical values of Gr M P St ζ Q S Cf∗ Nux∗

skin friction coefficient and
heat transfer coefficient of − 1 1 1 0.2 0.4 1 1 − 6.17739 − 0.14623
Cu-water nanofluid
− 0.5 − 5.56262 − 0.12184
0 − 4.96465 − 0.10399
0.5 − 4.37908 − 0.09101
1 − 3.80301 − 0.08177
2 − 4.23249 − 0.08497
3 − 4.59847 − 0.08787
1 0.4 − 3.51191 − 0.07979
0.6 − 3.61271 − 0.08045
0.8 − 3.70969 − 0.08111
1.5 − 4.02196 − 0.08337
1 0.3 − 3.91821 − 0.15114
0.4 − 4.03477 − 0.22019
0.2 0.2 − 3.76799 − 0.12293
0.6 − 3.83020 − 0.05968
− 1 − 2.97734 − 0.74276
− 0.5 − 3.18850 − 0.60411
0 − 3.40255 − 0.44660
0.5 − 3.61083 − 0.27159
1 0.5 − 2.75241 − 0.37713
2 − 6.41862 − 0.00038

observed. Increasing the value of magnetic parameter cor-
responds to increasing its strength, which in turn increases
the Lorentz force and decreases velocity. So, we see the
decrease in value of skin friction coefficient. Whereas, posi-
tive values of the Grashof number (Gr) relates to heating
of fluid and it assists the flow as it moves to ambient con-
dition. So, in turn resisting forces increases with increas-
ing values of Gr and it results in increase in drag at the
surface. The heat transfer coefficient is directly related to
Gr, 𝜁  , Q and S but it is inversely related to parameters M,
P and St. As mentioned earlier, the positive values of Gr
corresponds to heating of fluid and it increases the heat
transfer rate in the flow of nanofluid. Whereas, increasing
values of thermal relaxation parameter 𝜁 corresponds to
increase in amount of time in transferring heat when a
temperature gradient is present. So, increase in time lag
results in increase in heat transfer coefficient.
The velocity and temperature variation with Gr is eluci-
dated in Figs. 3 and 4. Physically the negative values and
positive of Gr relates to cooling of fluid (or warming of sur-
face) and heating of fluid (or cooling of surface), respec-
tively. Higher values of Gr helps nanofluid flow more rap-
idly as it moves towards ambient field and the same can
be seen via Fig. 3. The positive values of Gr corresponds to
heating of nanofluid as it moves forward. The heating of
nanofluid as it moves to ambient conditions leads to rise
in nanofluid temperature as seen in Fig. 4. It is clear from
above discussion that changes in Gr regulates the veloc-
ity and thermal fields. Figures 5 and 6 deal with the pro-
files of velocity and temperature when magnetic field (M)
strength is altered. The nanofluid velocity is decelerated
when M is increased. Physical explanation of this result lies
in that fact that increasing strength of magnetic parameter
also increases the Lorentz force acting in opposite direc-
tion of the flow, which in turn resists the flow and so veloc-
ity diminishes. It is traced out that temperature also falls
when nanofluid move towards boundary layer edge. As
with increasing strength of magnetic parameter, we wit-
ness the surface drag to decrease. It leads to decrease in
production of amount of heat and hence temperature of
nanofluid flow decreases.
Analysis of velocity and temperature fields with vari-
ation in porosity parameter (P) is displayed in Figs. 7 and
8. Both velocity and temperature are seen to decrease
with increasing porosity parameter. An increase in the
value of porosity parameter corresponds to the decrease

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Fig. 3  Variation in velocity
when Gr is varied

Fig. 4  Variation in temperature
when Gr is varied

in permeability of the medium. With decrease in perme-
ability of medium, it becomes difficult for nanofluid to
move and hence velocity decreases. Conclusively, we can
say that increasing porosity parameter resists the flow.
The surface drag also decreases with increasing porosity
parameter as velocity decreases. Hence, it results in release
of lesser amount of heat and it leads to fall in tempera-
ture of nanofluid. Impact of thermal stratification param-
eter (St) on velocity and temperature fields is outlined in
Figs. 9 and 10. Physically dominating values of St leads

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Fig. 5  Variation in velocity
when M is varied

Fig. 6  Variation in temperature
when M is varied

to decreasing velocity and temperature of the nanofluid.
When the parameter St is increased, it corresponds to a
situation where difference in densities of different region
inside fluid increases. Hence, it further inhibits the con-
vective flow from heated surface of cone to ambient fluid.
Consequently, the inhibition of convectively heated flow
results leads to drop in temperature.
Description of velocity and temperature fields through
the variation in thermal relaxation parameter (𝜁) is
done with the help of Figs. 11 and 12. Velocity is seen to
decrease with increasing thermal time. Increasing thermal

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Fig. 7  Variation in velocity
when P is varied

Fig. 8  Variation in temperature
when P is varied

relaxation parameter means the increase in time required
to transfer heat from particles to their neighboring parti-
cles having less energy. Physically, the more time material
takes to transfer heat, corresponds to its non-conducting
nature. It is to be noted that for 𝜁 = 0 , the C–C model
takes the form of Fourier’s law. So, it can be deduced
that temperature is less dominant in case of C–C model
and this leads to decrease in temperature with increas-
ing thermal relaxation time parameter. Figures 13 and 14
demonstrate the features of heat generation (or) absorp-
tion parameter (Q) on velocity and temperature fields. The
positive values of Q(Q > 0) corresponds to the case where

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Fig. 9  Variation in velocity
when St is varied

Fig. 10  Variation in tempera-
ture when St is varied

heat is generated and negative values Q(Q > 0) relates to
absorption of heat. The velocity was seen to be decreas-
ing function of Q. Generally, it is observed that tempera-
ture rises with increasing Q, but in this case a decreasing
trend was obtained. This result is in accordance with result
in study of Rehman et al. [40], in which they studied the
effects of heat generation/absorption together with Catta-
neo–Christov model in flow of Sutterby fluid over linearly
stretched plate. However, the decrease in both velocity
and temperature was found very significant.
Graphs for velocity and temperature distribution
with suction parameter (S) are plotted in Figs. 15 and 16.

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Fig. 11  Variation in velocity
when ζ is varied

Fig. 12  Variation in tempera-
ture when ζ is varied

Suction is a very effective way to prevent the boundary
layer separation. Its inclusion also regulates the flow veloc-
ity and its temperature. Increasing suction effect causes
the boundary layer to stick nearer to wall, which destroys
its momentum. So, the flow gets decelerated with increas-
ing the strength of suction in the flow. Temperature profile
near the wall was seen to decrease as suction parameter
increases but as we moved towards the ambient flow,
reverse trend was traced out. Figures 17 and 18 depict
the relationship between nanoparticle volume fraction (ϕ)
and velocity, and temperature. Increasing volume fraction
means more amount of nanoparticles in the base fluid. So,

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Fig. 13  Variation in velocity
when Q is varied

Fig. 14  Variation in tempera-
ture when Q is varied

increasing volume fraction causes hindrance in the flow of
nanofluid, which results in decreasing velocity. Decreas-
ing trends are observed for both velocity and temperature
when volume fraction was increased. Combined effects
of heat generation/absorption parameter and thermal
stratification parameter on skin friction coefficient can be
seen from Fig. 19. It is seen that for either cases, heat gen-
eration or heat absorption, higher value of stratification
parameter (St) corresponds to lower value of skin friction
coefficient. As with increasing stratification parameter,
the velocity of the nanofluid decreases, which results in
less friction with surface of cone and hence we witness a

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Fig. 15  Variation in velocity
when S is varied

Fig. 16  Variation in temperature when S is varied

decrease in skin friction coefficient. Combined effects of thermal stratification parameter (St) becomes less domi-
heat generation/absorption parameter and thermal strati- nant to wall heat transfer coefficient with intensification
fication parameter on wall heat transfer coefficient can be in heat generation/absorption parameter (Q). As intensifi-
seen from Fig. 20. It is clear from the figure that, effects of cation in thermal stratification parameter corresponds to

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Fig. 17  Variation in velocity
when ϕ is varied

Fig. 18  Variation in tempera-
ture when ϕ is varied

increase in density gradient between different regions and
it consequently hinder the convective flow from heated
surface of cone to ambient fluid. So, initially we witness the
increase in heat transfer coefficient with increasing value
of St. But this trend become opposite with higher value
of Q. As positive value of Q corresponds to the situation
where heat is generated within the flow. So, in presence
of heat generation, the effect of increasing value of St is to
decrease the heat transfer coefficient.

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Fig. 19  Variation in skin
friction coefficient due to com-
bined effects of Q and St 

Fig. 20  Variation in wall heat

transfer coefficient due to
combined effects of Q and St 

5 Conclusions The effective model of thermal conductivity and viscosity

In the present investigation, the authors have studied
the Cu-water nanofluid flow over a cone with heat gen-
eration (or) absorption with Cattaneo–Christov heat flux
model in thermally stratified medium. The nanofluid flow
is modeled considering the fluid flow in porous medium
in presence of free convection, magnetic field and suction.
are considered to study the effect of nanoparticle volume
fraction. Numerical solution of the flow problem is pre-
sented using Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg method with shoot-
ing scheme. The significant results are listed below:
• The flow of nanofluid is aided by Grashof number
whereas resisted by magnetic and suction parameter.

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• Temperature of nanofluid rises with Grashof number
but contrary trend is observed for magnetic and heat
generation (or) absorption parameter.
• Thermal stratification and thermal relaxation parameter
have inverse relationship with temperature.
• Skin friction increases with Grashof number but con-
trary trend is seen for magnetic, porosity and suction
parameter.
• Heat transport occurs faster with Grashof number,
thermal relaxation, heat generation (or) absorption
parameter and slows down with porosity and magnetic
parameter.
Acknowledgements  Research was supported by UGC (F. No. 16-6
(Dec. 2017)/2018 (NET/CSIR)), Government of India and gratefully
acknowledged by the first author. The authors want to express sin-
cere thanks to anonymous reviewers for their valuable suggestions
and comments to improve the quality of manuscript.
Compliance with ethical standards  well–Cattaneo model of finite-speed heat conduction. Mech Res
Conflict of interest  The authors declare that they have no competing
interests.
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