THERMAL ANALYSIS FOR VISCOUS DISSIPATION OF NANOFLUID FLOW WITH SINGLE AND TANDEM CYLINDERS IN A CHANNEL

This study investigates laminar nanofluid flow and heat transfer in a two-dimensional channel containing one and two solid cylinders using COMSOL Multiphysics with particle tracing. The classical case of flow past a single cylinder is first simulated to validate the numerical model and establish a benchmark for the flow and thermal fields. Subsequently, a second cylinder is introduced, creating additional blockage that modifies wake formation, vortex shedding, and overall flow behavior. An incompressible Newtonian nanofluid is considered, with prescribed thermal boundary conditions at the cylinder surfaces and channel inlet to represent realistic heat exchange. The numerical framework captures the evolving flow structure, vortex dynamics, and nanoparticle trajectories within the domain, enabling detailed analysis of drag-driven particle motion. The combined effects of imposed heat flux, dual obstructions, and nanoparticle dynamics on convective performance are examined by tracking key field variables such as temperature, pressure, velocity, and vortex evolution. The results show peak wake velocities of about 2.5–2.7 m/s and demonstrate that the presence of a second cylinder intensifies wake interaction and drag, thereby enhancing convective heat transfer and distorting the thermal boundary layer compared with the single-cylinder configuration.