Ain Shams Engineering Journal (2018) 9, 1069–1088

Ain Shams University

Ain Shams Engineering Journal

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ENGINEERING PHYSICS AND MATHEMATICS

Combined effect of suction/injection on MHD

free-convection flow in a vertical channel with
thermal radiation
Basant K. Jha a, B.Y. Isah b,*, I.J. Uwanta b

a
Department of Mathematics, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
b
Department of Mathematics, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria

Received 17 July 2015; revised 2 May 2016; accepted 2 June 2016

Available online 7 July 2016

KEYWORDS Abstract Transient hydromagnetic free-convection and thermal radiation flow of viscous, incom-
Thermal radiation; pressible electrically conducting fluid in the presence of magnetic field in a vertical channel formed
MHD; by two infinite porous plates is analyzed. The Rosseland diffusion approximation describes the
Transient; radioactive heat flux in the energy equation. The non-linear time dependent energy and momentum
Rosseland approximation equations under relevant initial and boundary conditions are solved numerically using implicit finite
difference. To verify the accuracy of the numerical scheme, steady state version of the problem is
solved by perturbation method. A series of numerical experiments show that time required to reach
steady state velocity and temperature is directly proportional to the Prandtl number of the working
fluid. In the course of numerical computation, an excellent agreement was found between transient
and steady state solution at large value of time. The effect of various dimensionless parameters con-
trolling the physical situation is extensively discussed with the aid of graphs.
Ó 2016 Ain Shams University. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under
the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

1. Introduction
It is generally accepted that prior to this decade heat transfer
characterized by laminar free-convection was studied with
deep-seated scientific and engineering curiosity. This is evident
* Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: basasnt777@yahoo.co.uk (B.K. Jha), isahby1973@
gmail.com (B.Y. Isah), imeuwanta@yahoo.com (I.J. Uwanta).
Peer review under responsibility of Ain Shams University.
Production and hosting by Elsevier
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.asej.2016.06.001
2090-4479 Ó 2016 Ain Shams University. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
when one realizes that the Industrial revolution has been largely
based on man’s increasing ability to convert heat to useful work,
and this inevitably involved the ability to design systems to
transfer a predictable amount of heat per unit of time [1]. The
interest in this area stems largely to its important applications,
for instance, the requirement of obtaining high rates of heat
extraction from reactors with irreversible temperature drop as
little as possible in nuclear engineering, and the need for effective
blade-cooling systems in gas turbines [2]. And indeed in the early
stage of melting and in transient heating of insulating air gap by
heat input at the start-up of furnace, solar heating, ventilating
passive systems and electric equipment in construction of verti-
cal circuit boards can be modeled by parallel heated plates with
upward flow in the intervening space as reported by Jha et al. [3].
1070
Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the problem.
The unsteady MHD free-convection flow governed by the
impact of suction or injection is one of the distinguished
present-day themes. For instance the process of suction or
blowing has also its importance in many engineering activities
such as in the design of thrust bearing and radial diffusers, and
thermal oil recovery. Suction is applied to chemical processes
to remove reactants and injection is used to add reactants, cool
the surface, prevent corrosion or scaling and reduce the drag
(Labropulu et al. [4]). Attia [5] illustrated the effect of suction
and injection on Couette flow with variable properties. Ahmed
and Khatun [6] carried out a theoretical analysis on Magneto-
hydrodynamic oscillatory flow in a planer porous channel with
suction and injection. Makinde and Aziz [7] used numerical
approach to explore MHD mixed convection over a vertical
plate embedded in a porous medium with a convective bound-
ary condition. Magyari and Chamkha [8] reported a full ana-
lytical solution on the combined effect of heat generation or
absorption and first-order chemical reaction on micropolar
fluid. Mutuku-Njane and Makinde [9] examined the effect of
magnetic field on boundary layer flow with slip boundary
Figure 2 Steady state velocity and temperature profiles: (CT = 0.01, R = 0.0001, M = 1).
B.K. Jha et al.
condition in the presence of suction. Makinde et al. [10] stud-
ied the unsteady flow of reactive variable viscosity third-grade
fluid between two parallel plates filled with a porous medium.
Rundora and Makinde [11] investigated the effects of suction/
injection on unsteady reactive temperature dependent viscosity
in a porous channel filled with saturated porous medium.
Makinde and Chinyoka [12] studied the effects of suction/
injection on unsteady reactive variable viscosity non-
Newtonian fluid flow in a channel fluid in a thin stationary slit
wall and convective boundary conditions. Deswita et al. [13]
studied the effect of suction and injection on steady
boundary-layer flow of a non-Newtonian fluid with power-
law model. Hamid et al. [14] illustrated the effects of radiation,
joule heating and viscous dissipation on MHD Marangoni
convection over a flat surface with suction and injection.
Makinde and Chinyoka [15] obtained numerical solution of
transient pressure driven flow in a channel with suction/injec-
tion. They reported that suction/injection shift the region of
maximum velocity away from the centerline and lead to non-
symmetry in the velocity and temperature gradients. More
recently Ghasemi et al. [16] studied electrohydrodynamic flow
in a circular cylindrical conduit using least Square method. In
other article Ghasemi et al. [17] performed analysis for a third
grade non-Newtonian blood flow in porous arteries in the
presence of magnetic field. Sadri and Babaelahi [18] performed
an analysis on a laminar boundary layer flow over a porous
flat plate with injection or suction imposed at the wall. Ravin-
dran and Ganapathirao [19] considered the effect of non-
uniform single and double slot suction/injection into a steady
mixed convection boundary layer flow over a vertical cone.
However, in all the above-discussed works, the thermal
radiation effect is absent. The effect of radiation on MHD flow
and heat transfer problems has become more important indus-
trially. At high operating temperature, radiation effect can be
quite significant. Many processes in engineering areas occur at
high temperature and knowledge of radiation heat transfer
becomes very important for the design of the pertinent equip-
ment [20]. Mansur [21] obtained an analytical solution of an
oscillatory flow of free convection with thermal radiation past
a vertical plate. El-Hakiem [22] as well as Mansour and
Combined effect of suction/injection on MHD free-convection flow
Figure 3 Influence of temperature difference parameter on velocity profile (R = 0.1, M = 1).
El-Shaer [23] extended the work of Mansur [21]. Ghaly [24]
proposed an investigation on the radiation effect on steady
MHD free convection flow near isothermal stretching sheet
with mass transfer. Makinde [25] used numerical superposition
methods to solve boundary layer flow with thermal radiation
and mass transfer past a permeable moving plate. Ogulu [26]
obtained an analytical solution on radiation heat absorption
and mass transfer on the flow of polar fluid in the presence
of a uniform magnetic field. Das et al. [27] showed the influ-
ence of mass transfer on MHD flow through a porous med-
ium. Abdulhakeem and Sathiyathan [28] have presented an
analytical solution for nonlinear oscillatory flow past a porous
medium with radiation effect. Srinivas and Muthuraj [29] pre-
sented an investigation to analyze the thermal radiation effect
on the steady fully developed mixed convection MHD flow in
a vertical channel with porous medium using homotopy anal-
ysis method. This indicates that a considerable effort has been
shown in radiation interaction with convection for heat in the
fluid, due to its significant role in thermal radiation, study of
flow and heat transfer caused by a stretching surface in many
practical manufacturing processes such as extrusion processes,
1071
glass blowing, hot rolling manufacturing of plastic and rubber
sheets, crystal growing, continuous coating and fibers spinning
[20,29].
The aim of this work was to investigate the transient
free-convection flow formation of viscous, incompressible
and electrically conducting fluid in a vertical porous channel
in the presence of transverse magnetic field and thermal
radiation.
2. Governing equations
Consider a transient free-convective flow of a viscous, incom-
pressible and electrically conducting fluid between two infinite
vertical parallel porous plates. A uniform transverse magnetic
field of magnitude B0 is applied in the presence of an incident
radiation flux of intensity qr , which is absorbed by the plate
and transfer to the fluid as shown in Fig. 1. At time t0 6 0 both
the fluid and porous plates are assumed to be at temperature
T0 . At t0 > 0, the temperature of the porous plate situated at
y0 ¼ 0 is suddenly raised to Tw while the other porous plate
1072 B.K. Jha et al.

Figure 4 Influence of magnetic parameter on velocity profile (R = 0.1, CT = 0.01).

at a distance H is maintained at temperature T0 ðTw > T0 Þ the axial (x0 -direction) velocity depends only on transverse
causing the transient free convection currents. The Cartesian coordinate, y0 .
ðx0 ; y0 Þ co-ordinate systems are taken with x0 -axis along the The quantity qr appearing on the right hand side of Eq. (2)
porous plate in the vertical upward direction and the y0 -axis represents the radiative heat flux in the y0 -direction where the
normal to it. Since the porous plates are of infinite length, radiative heat flux in the x0 -direction is considered insignificant
the velocity and temperature are functions of y0 and t0 alone. in comparison with that in the y0 -direction. The radiative heat
Using Boussinesq’s approximation, the governing equations flux term in the problem is simplified by using the Rosseland
for the present physical situation in dimensional form are as diffusion approximation for an optically thick fluid according
follows: to Agha et al. [29]:
@u0 @u0 @2u r1 B20 u0
þ V0 0 ¼ m 02 þ gbðT0  T0 Þ  ð1Þ 4r@T04
@t 0 @y @y q qr ¼  ð3Þ
3k @y0

2 0 
@T0 @T0 @ T 1 @qr
þ V 0 ¼ a  ð2Þ where r, is Stefan-Boltzmann constant and k , the mean
@t0 @y0 @y02 K @y0
absorption coefficient. This approximation is valid for inten-
where T0 is the initial temperature of the fluid and porous sive absorption, that is, for an optically thick boundary layer.
plates, T0 is the dimensional temperature of the fluid, a is the Despite these shortcomings, the Rosseland approximation has
thermal diffusivity, K is the thermal conductivity, q is the den- been used with success in a variety of problems ranging from
sity of the fluid, b is the coefficient of the thermal expansion, r1 the transport of radiation through gases at low density to
is the fluid electrical conductivity, g is the gravitational accel- the study of the effects of radiation on blast waves by nuclear
eration and B0 is the strength of applied magnetic field. The explosion (Agha et al. [29]). The required initial and boundary
flow is assumed laminar and fully developed. Meaning that conditions to be satisfied are
Combined effect of suction/injection on MHD free-convection flow 1073

Figure 5 Influence of radiation parameter on velocity profile (CT = 0.01, M = 1).


 2  2
t0 ¼: u0 ¼ 0 T0 ¼ T0 0 6 y0 6 H @h @h 4R @ h @h
Pr þS ¼ 1 þ ðCT þ hÞ3 þ 4R½CT þ h2 ð7Þ
@t @y 3 @y 2 @y
(
u0 ¼ 0 T0 ¼ Tw at y0 ¼ 0 with the dimensionless initial and boundary conditions as
t0 > 0 : ð4Þ
u0 ¼ 0 T0 ¼ T0 at y0 ¼ H t 6 0 : u ¼ 0; h ¼ 0 for 06y61

The dimensionless quantities used in the present problem u ¼ 0; h¼1 at y¼0
are as follows: t>0: ð8Þ
u ¼ 0; h¼0 at y¼1

t0 v y0 v 4rðTw  T0 Þ3 1
t¼ ; y ¼ ; Pr ¼ ; R ¼ ; u ¼ u0 v½gbH2 ðTw  T0 Þ
H 2
H a k K 3. Analytic solutions
r1 B20 H2 T0 T0  T0 V0 H
M2 ¼ ; CT ¼ ; h¼ ; S¼
qv Tw  T0 Tw  T0 v The governing equations presented (6) and (7) are highly
ð5Þ nonlinear and exhibited no exact solutions. In general such
Using dimensionless quantities (5) in (1) and (2), the dimen- solution can be very useful in validating computer routines
sionless momentum and energy equations become of complicated time dependent two or three-dimensional free
convective and radiating conducting fluid and comparison
@u @u @ 2 u with experimental data. It is therefore of interest to reduce
þS ¼ þ h  M2 u ð6Þ the governing equations of the present problem to the form
@t @y @y2
that can be solved analytically. A special case of the present
1074 B.K. Jha et al.

Figure 6 Influence of suction/injection parameter on velocity profile (R = 0.1, CT = 0.01, M = 1).

problem that exhibits analytical solution is the problem of
steady state Combined effect of suction/injection on MHD
free-convection flow in a vertical channel with thermal
radiation.
The resulting steady state equations and boundary condi-
To construct an approximated solution to Eqs. (9) and (10)
subject to (11), it is assumed that the radiation parameter is
small and taking power series expansion in the radiation
parameter R employs a regular perturbation method.
X
1

tions for this special case can be written as hðyÞ ¼ h0 ðyÞ þ Rh1 ðyÞ þ    ¼ R j h j ðyÞ
j¼0
ð12Þ
2
du du X
1

 S  M2 u ¼ h ð9Þ uðyÞ ¼ u0 ðyÞ þ Ru1 ðyÞ þ    ¼ R j u j ðyÞ

dy2 dy j¼0

 2  2 Substituting Eq. (12) into Eqs. (9) and (10) and equating the
4R dh dh 2 dh
1 þ ðCT þ hÞ3  SPr þ 4R½C T þ h ¼0 ð10Þ coefficient of like powers of R, the required solution of the
3 dy2 dy dy governing velocity and temperature equations are obtained as
with the following boundary conditions: uðyÞ ¼ d1 þ A1 eðx1 yÞ þ B1 eðx2 yÞ þ qeðSPryÞ
u¼0 h¼1 at y ¼ 0 
þ R d2 þ A2 eðx1 yÞ B2 eðx2 yÞ þ ðyd3 þ d4 þ d8 ÞeðSPryÞ
ð11Þ
u¼0 h¼1 at y ¼ 1 
þd5 eð4SPryÞ þ d6 eð2SPryÞ þ d7 eð3SPryÞ ð13Þ
Combined effect of suction/injection on MHD free-convection flow 1075

Figure 7 Influence of temperature difference parameter on temperature profile (R = 0.1).

C3 F1 eðSPryÞ Equally from (14) the steady state of heat transfer on the
hðyÞ ¼ C1 þ C2 eðSPryÞ þ R  þ C4 eðSPryÞ þ
SPr SPr boundary plates is
#
F2 eð4SPryÞ F3 eð2SPryÞ F4 eð3SPryÞ dh
þ þ þ ð14Þ Nu0 ¼  ¼ ½SPrC2 
dy
12ðSPrÞ2 2ðSPrÞ2 6ðSPrÞ2 y¼0

From (13), the steady-state skin frictions on the boundary F1 F2 F3 F4
þ R ½SPrC4  þ þ þ þ ð17Þ
are as follows: SPr 3SPr SPr 2SPr

du
s0 ¼ ¼ A1 x1  B1 x2 þ d0 SPr þ R½A2 x1  B2 x2 þ d3 Nu1 ¼
dh
¼ ½SPrC2 eðSPrÞ þ R ½SPrC4 eðSPrÞ þ F1 eðSPrÞ
dy y¼0 dy y¼1

þ SPrðd4 þ 4d5 þ 2d6 þ 3d7 þ d8 Þ ð15Þ F1 eðSPrÞ ½F2 eð4SPrÞ ½F3 eð2SPrÞ F4 eð3SPrÞ
þ þ þ ð18Þ
SPr 3SPr SPr 2SPr
du
s1 ¼ ¼A1 x1 eðx1 yÞ B1 x2 eðx2 yÞ þd0 SPreðSPryÞ
dy y¼1
 4. Numerical procedure
þR A2 x1 eðx1 yÞ B2 x2 eðx2 yÞ þd3 eðSPryÞ þSPrðd3 þd4 þd8 ÞeðSPryÞ
 The nonlinear momentum and energy equations given in (6)
þSPr 4d5 eð4SPryÞ þ2d6 eð2SPryÞ þ3d7 eð3SPryÞ ð16Þ
and (7) are solved under the appropriate initial and boundary
1076 B.K. Jha et al.

Figure 8 Influence of radiation parameter on temperature profile (CT = 0.01).

9
condition (8) by the implicit finite difference method. The ui;0 ¼ 0; hi;0 ¼ 1 for all j ¼ 0>
>
=
transport Eqs. (6) and (7) at the grid point ði; jÞ are expressed
u0;j ¼ 0; h0;j ¼ 1 ð21Þ
in different form using Taylor’s expansion. The momentum >
>
;
and energy equations in difference form are as follows: uM;j ¼ 0; hM;j ¼ 0
Thus the values of u and h at grid point t ¼ 0 are known;
ujþ1  uij u j  uij ujþ1  2ujþ1 þ ujþ1
i
þ S iþ1 ¼ i1 i iþ1
 M2 uij þ hij ð19Þ hence, the temperature field has been solved at time
dt ðdyÞ ðdyÞ 2
ttþ1 ¼ ti þ dt using the known values of the previous time
t ¼ ti for all i ¼ 1; 2; . . . ; M  1. Then the velocity field is eval-
hijþ1  hij h j  hij uated using the already known value of temperature field
Pr þ SPr iþ1 obtained at tiþ1 ¼ ti þ dt. This process is repeated till the
dt ðdyÞ

 jþ1 required solution of u and h is gained at convergence criteria.
3 hi1  2hi þ hjþ1
jþ1
4R
¼ 1þ CT þ hij iþ1
ðu; hÞexact  ðu; hÞnum: < 103 ð22Þ
3 ðdyÞ2
 j j 2
 2 hiþ1  hi1 To ascertain the accuracy and effectiveness of the numerical
þ 4R CT þ hij ð20Þ scheme, the analytical solution depicted in Section 3 is used.
ð2dyÞ
For some small value of perturbation parameter R  1 and
and the relevant initial and boundary condition are non-dimensionless time approaching Prandtl number of the
Combined effect of suction/injection on MHD free-convection flow
Figure 9 Influence of suction/injection parameter on temperature profile (CT = 0.01).
fluid a steady state condition is reached which corresponds to
the steady-state solution of the analytical version in Section 3
as presented in Fig. 1(a) and (b).
5. Results and discussion
The five basic parameters that control the flow in the porous
channel are as follows: the magnetic parameter ðMÞ that pro-
duces resistive force which act opposite to the direction of fluid
motion, the radiation parameter ðRÞ, the temperature differ-
ence parameter ðCT Þ, and the Prandtl number ðPrÞ, which is
inversely proportional to the thermal diffusivity of the working
fluid, and suction and injection parameter ðSÞ. To apprehend
the real future of the problem under study, the numerical solu-
tion of energy and momentum equations is carried out using
different values of magnetic parameter ðM ¼ 1; 2; 3Þ, the con-
stant S ¼ 0:5ð> 0Þ represents injection at the plate ðy0 ¼ 0Þ
and simultaneous suction at y0 ¼ H. S ¼ 0:5ð< 0Þ corre-
sponds to suction at the plate ðy0 ¼ 0Þ and simultaneous injec-
tion at y0 ¼ H. The radiation parameter R is in the range of
1077
0 6 R 6 0:8 because terms associated with R behave as strong
heat sources and large value of R leads to finite time tempera-
ture blowup (see Makinde and Chinyoka [30]). Moreover time
is selected in the range 0:2 6 t 6 8:5, in order to capture the
steady state situation for air and water, temperature different
parameter ðCT ¼ 0:1; 0:5; 1Þ and Prandtl numbers 0:71 and
7:0, which physically represent air and water respectively.
Figs. 2–23 display the contributing effects of varying parame-
ters on velocity, temperature, skin friction and Nusselt
number.
The steady state velocity and temperature profiles obtained
by numerical as well as perturbation method as a function of
suction and injection parameter and Prandtl number for fixed
value of M, CT and R are presented in Fig. 2(a) and (b). These
Figures reveal excellent agreement between the numerical
codes and the analytical solution obtained by regular perturba-
tion method. The figure also reflects that the values of the fluid
velocity and temperature are higher with injection parameter
in comparison with suction parameter (see Fig. 2(a) and (b)).
In addition, it is evident that the time requires reaching steady
1078 B.K. Jha et al.

Figure 10 Skin friction for transient and steady state (a) y = 0, (b) y = 1, (c) y = 0 and (d) y = 1.

Figure 11 Skin friction for transient and steady state: (a) y = 0, (b) y = 1, (c) y = 0 and (d) y = 1.
Combined effect of suction/injection on MHD free-convection flow 1079

Figure 12 Skin friction for transient and steady state: (a) y = 0, (b) y = 1, (c) y = 0 and (d) y = 1.

Figure 13 Skin friction for transient and steady state: (a) y = 0, (b) y = 1, (c) y = 0 and (d) y = 1.
1080
Figure 14 Skin friction for transient and steady state: (a) y = 0, (b) y = 1, (c) y = 0 and (d) y = 1.
state velocity and temperature profiles are higher for water
ðPr ¼ 7Þ than air ðPr ¼ 0:71Þ. This is the usual trend that is
attributed to reduce thermal diffusivity at higher value of Pr.
Fig. 3(a) and (b) displays the temperature difference and
dimensionless time t on the velocity profile due to suction
and injection respectively. By increasing the temperature dif-
ference CT and dimensionless time t, velocity increases. This
is physically true because as CT increases, convection current
is stronger. In addition the variation of velocity due to suc-
tion and injection is shown Fig. 3(a, b) and (c, d) where
velocity is higher at the plate ðy ¼ 0Þ where fluid being
injected into the channel than suction on same plate.
Fig. 4(a)–(d) depicts the effect of magnetic parameter M
on velocity. It is seen that an increase in the values of M
leads to the decrease in fluid velocity. This is true since mag-
netic parameter produces resistive force, which acts in oppo-
site direction to the fluid motion. It is also observed that the
value of fluid velocity is higher for S > 0 in comparison with
S < 0.
The effects of the dimensionless time t and radiation
parameter R on the velocity are presented in Fig. 5(a)–
(d), respectively. It is clear that the velocity profile increases
with dimensionless time t until it reaches its steady state
value. Also increasing radiation parameter brings about
enhancement on transient and steady state velocity through-
out the channel. This may be attributed to the fact that as
radiation parameter increases, temperature of the fluid
B.K. Jha et al.
increases which causes higher convection current. Further-
more the time needed to reach steady state velocity
increases as R increases. Fig. 5(a, b) and (c, d) reflects that
the time required to reach steady state is higher in case of
injection than suction.
Fig. 6(a)–(d) illustrates the effect of suction and injection
parameter on velocity. Fig. 6(a) and (c) reveals the effect of
injection at y ¼ 1 and suction at y ¼ 0 while Fig. 6
(b) and (d) provides the effect of injection at y ¼ 0 and suction
at y ¼ 1 on velocity profile. The velocity is seen to increase as S
increases for ðS > 0Þ while the reverse case is observed for
ðS < 0Þ. This is as a result of heated fluid particles being intro-
duced into the channel by injection through the plate y ¼ 0
while cold fluid particles are removed from the channel by suc-
tion through the plate y ¼ 1 in the case of S > 0. This increases
the temperature thus strengthening the convection current in
the channel, which in turn increases the velocity. On the other
hand, cold fluid particles are introduced into the channel by
injection through the plate y ¼ 1 and hot fluid particles are
removed from the channel by suction through the plate
y ¼ 0 in the case of S < 0; thus, the reverse phenomenon is
observed.
From Fig. 7(a)–(d) it is noted that the temperature increases
with time and gradually attains its steady state. The figure
shows that as temperature difference parameter ðCT Þ increases
the temperature increases. In addition, the values of tempera-
ture appear to be higher in Fig. 7(a) and (b) in comparison
Combined effect of suction/injection on MHD free-convection flow
Figure 15 Skin friction for transient and steady state: (a) y = 0, (b) y = 1, (c) y = 0 and (d) y = 1.
with those in Fig. 7(c) and (d). This may be attributed to the
fact that at lower Prandtl number ð0:71Þ, convection currents
become higher and qualitatively increase the temperature.
However, an anomalous phenomenon is observed in Fig. 7
(d) during steady state due to injection ðS > 0Þ.
In Fig. 8(a)–(d) the effects of radiation parameter R and
dimensionless time t are presented. Temperature increases with
increase in t and R. It is observed from these figures that effect
of R is more significant in Fig. 8(a) and (b) in case of air
Pr ¼ 0:71 than in Fig. 8(c) and (d) for water ðPr ¼ 7:0Þ. This
is due to the physical fact that, as the Prandtl number
increases, the thermal diffusivity of the fluid reduces which
results in a corresponding decrease in the fluid temperature.
From Fig. 9(a)–(d) it is evident that the effect of increasing
dimensionless suction ðS < 0Þ and injection ðS > 0Þ parame-
ters has little impact on temperature gradient while marking
out a cheerful worthy impact on the steady state values of
water as seen in Fig. 9(c) and (d). It is also outlined from fig-
ures that as dimensionless time increases the temperature
increases.
The skin frictions on the porous channel surfaces ðy ¼ 0; 1Þ
are presented in Figs. 10–17 for both air ðPr ¼ 0:71Þ and water
1081
ðPr ¼ 7:0Þ respectively. The figures reflect that the skin friction
increases with increase in time while retarding or enhancing
with controlling parameters until it reaches its steady state
value.
The influence of magnetic parameter ðMÞ and dimension-
less time ðtÞ on skin friction is shown in Figs. 10(a)–
(d) and 11(a)–(d). It is interesting to note that the effect of
magnetic parameter is to decrease the value of the skin friction,
because the presence of magnetic field in an electrically con-
ducting fluid introduces a force called the Lorentz force, which
acts against the flow if the magnetic field is applied perpendic-
ular to the flow direction. Likewise the skin friction value is
lower due to suction than injection. This behavior in the skin
friction is accompanied by the heated fluid particles being
introduced into the channel by injection through the plate
y ¼ 0 while cold fluid particles are removed from the channel
by suction through the plate y ¼ 1 in the case of S > 0 and vice
versa S < 0.
Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate the effect of radiation parameter
ðRÞ on skin friction. It is clear from these figures that there
is an increase in skin friction with increase in the radiation
parameter R. The increase of the time parameter t also
1082 B.K. Jha et al.

Figure 16 Skin friction for transient and steady state: (a) y = 0, (b) y = 1, (c) y = 0 and (d) y = 1.

Figure 17 Skin friction for transient and steady state: (a) y = 0, (b) y = 1, (c) y = 0 and (d) y = 1.
Combined effect of suction/injection on MHD free-convection flow
Figure 18 Nusselt number for transient and steady state: (a) y = 0, (b) y = 1, (c) y = 0 and (d) y = 1.
enhances the skin friction. Furthermore the steady state value
is lower at the porous plate y ¼ 1 and higher at y ¼ 0 for both
suction and injection as reported in Figs. 12 and 13. In case of
air ðPr ¼ 0:71Þ the value of skin friction is higher with suction
in comparison with injection at porous plate at y ¼ 0 while the
reverse case is established at the porous plate y ¼ 1 (see
Fig. 12). However, in case of water ðPr ¼ 7:0Þ the skin friction
value on the porous channels ðy ¼ 0 & y ¼ 1Þ qualitatively
and quantitatively increases with radiation parameter and
enhances more with injection in comparison with suction as
illustrated in Fig. 13.
In Figs. 14 and 15 it shows that increasing dimensionless
time ðtÞ and temperature difference parameter CT enhances
the skin friction. Also steady state values are higher in case of
water ðPr ¼ 7:0Þ than in air ðPr ¼ 0:71Þ for injection (see
Figs. 14(c) and (d) and 15(c) and (d)) at porous plate y ¼ 0 or
1. This indicates that at high Prandtl number, the thermal dif-
fusivity of the fluid reduces and courses weak penetration of
heat inside the fluid and consequently increases the time for
the steady state. The opposite trend is observed in case of suc-
tion (as seen in Figs. 14(a) and (b) and 15(a) and (b)), which
indicates an insignificant influence of Prandtl number Pr.
1083
Figs. 16 and 17 are plots of skin friction for various values
of time and suction/injection parameter on the porous plate.
It is observed that the skin friction value increases with
increase in time until it attains the peak value of the steady
state. In Fig. 16(a)–(d) the result shows that increase in suc-
tion/injection parameter S results into decrease in the skin
friction values at the porous plate y ¼ 0 and in contrast
enhances the skin friction values at porous plate y ¼ 1 for
air ðPr ¼ 0:71Þ. It is interesting to note that in case of water
ðPr ¼ 7:0Þ skin friction increases whether suction or injection
takes place at the porous plates ðy ¼ 0Þ and ðy ¼ 1Þ as
depicted in Fig. 17(a)–(d).
The influence of temperature difference parameter, radia-
tion parameter, and suction/injection parameter on Nusselt
number for both porous plates is outlined in Figs. 18–23. It
is interesting to mention that as time increases, the Nusselt
number on the porous plate ðy ¼ 0Þ decreases whereas it
increases at y ¼ 1. Furthermore, the impact of radiation
parameter, temperature difference parameter and suction/
injection parameter is to accelerate the rate of heat transfer
at y ¼ 1 while the impact of these parameters is to reduce
the rate of heat transfer at y ¼ 0.
1084 B.K. Jha et al.

Figure 19 Nusselt number for transient and steady state: (a) y = 0, (b) y = 1, (c) y = 0 and (d) y = 1.

6. Conclusion (3) The values of Nusselt number are higher in case of suc-
tion in comparison with injection at y ¼ 0 while the
inverse trend is observed at y ¼ 1.
The transient/steady-state solution for the MHD free-
(4) During numerical computation, it is found that the time
convection flow of electrically conducting fluid in a vertical
required reaching steady state velocity and temperature is
channel having constant suction/injection with thermal radia-
directly proportional to the Prandtl number of the working
tion effect is examined. The model representing the present
fluid. That is the time required to reach steady state velocity
physical situation is highly nonlinear due to the presence of
and temperature is approximately 7 (dimensionless time) for
thermal radiation effect. The non-linear differential equations
water ðPr ¼ 7:0Þ and 0.71 (dimensionless time) for air
under appropriate initial and boundary conditions are numer-
ðPr ¼ 0:71Þ for fixed values of other controlling parameters.
ically solved using implicit finite difference method. Also ana-
lytical solutions are derived by regular perturbation method
for steady state situation. The impact of the essential dimen- Appendix A
sionless controlling parameter on velocity, temperature skin-
friction and Nusselt number is presented with the aid of line
graphs and discussed. From the indicated results of the prob- eðSPrÞ 1
C1 ¼ ; C1 ¼ ; C2 ¼ CT þ C1 ;
lem, the following observations were concluded: eðSPrÞ  1 1  eðSPrÞ
3

B C2 ½SPr
2
4
F1 ¼ ; F1 ¼ ðC2 Þ4 ½SPr þ 4 ;
(1) As the radiation, temperature difference, suction/injec- 3 3
tion and non-dimensional time parameters increase both
the velocity and temperature increase while velocity F3 ¼ 8B2 C22 ½SPr2 ; F4 ¼ 12B2 C22 ½SPr2 ;
decreases with magnetic parameter. F2 F3 F4
(2) Velocity, temperature, and Skin friction are higher due F5 ¼ 2
 2
 ;
to injection in comparison with suction. 12½SPr 2½SPr 6½SPr2
Combined effect of suction/injection on MHD free-convection flow 1085

Figure 20 Nusselt number for transient and steady state: (a) y = 0, (b) y = 1, (c) y = 0 and (d) y = 1.

Figure 21 Nusselt number for transient and steady state: (a) y = 0, (b) y = 1, (c) y = 0 and (d) y = 1.
1086 B.K. Jha et al.

Figure 22 Nusselt number for transient and steady state: (a) y = 0, (b) y = 1, (c) y = 0 and (d) y = 1.

Figure 23 Nusselt number for transient and steady state: (a) y = 0, (b) y = 1, (c) y = 0 and (d) y = 1.
Combined effect of suction/injection on MHD free-convection flow 1087
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Basant K. Jha was born in Darbhanga, Bihar,
India, in 1964. He is a professor in Applied
Mathematics at Ahmadu Bello University,
Zaria, Nigeria. He was awarded PhD degree
in Mathematics from Banaras Hindu Univer-
sity, Varanasi, India, in 1992. He has pub-
lished more than 140 papers in reputed
National/International journals. His research
interest includes flow through porous media,
magneto hydrodynamics, computational fluid
dynamics, and heat and mass transfer.
Ime Jimmy Uwanta is a Professor of Fluid
Mechanics at Department of Mathematics,
Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto,
Nigeria, focusing on nonlinear computations.
He obtained B.Sc. (Hons) and M.Sc. Degrees
from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and a
Ph.D. from the University of Lagos. He has
been the postgraduate coordinator, Head of
Unit of Mathematics and currently Head of
Department of Mathematics comprised of
Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Sci-
ence. Similarly, he supervised many postgraduate students and atten-
ded several workshops, conferences and seminars where he presented
papers. He has published numerous papers, been an External Exam-
iner to several postgraduate students, likewise an assessor for staff
promotions to other institutions and been an reviewer to several
journals. He is a member of several Associations.

Isah Bala Yabo was born in Yabo, Sokoto,

Nigeria, in 1973. He obtained B.Sc. (Hons)
and M.Sc. Degrees from Usmanu Danfodiyo
University Sokoto and is currently pursuing
his Ph.D. in the field of Applied Mathematics
(Fluid Dynamics) at Usmanu Danfodiyo
University. His research interest includes,
magneto hydrodynamics, computational fluid
dynamics, as well as heat and mass transfer.