Response surface optimization of heat transfer rate in Falkner-Skan flow of ZnO − EG nanoliquid over a moving wedge: Sensitivity analysis

Abstract In this work, the optimization of the heat transfer rate in the Falkner-Skan flow of ethylene glycol-based ZnO nanoliquid passing through a moving wedge is performed using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The experimentally estimated nanoliquid properties are included in the calculations for realistic modeling. The heat transfer rate is optimized through the use of the numerical experiment based on the face-centered central composite design (CCF). The sensitivity of the heat transfer rate is evaluated using the obtained quadratic model. The impact of the relevant parameters is displayed graphically using the finite difference method-based solution procedure and analyzed in detail. The interactive impacts of the key parameters are also evaluated using three-dimensional surface plots. The maximum sensitivity of the heat transfer rate is towards the moving wedge parameter. The optimized rate of heat transfer occurs at the high levels of the radiation aspect, moving wedge parameter, and nanoparticle volume fraction. The interactive impacts of the nanoparticles volume fraction and the Falkner-Skan index were found to be non-linear. The movement of the wedge was found to have a significant impact on both the flow field and the rate of heat transfer.