Finite element solution of micropolar fluid flow and heat transfer betweentwo porous discs

The problem of steady axisymmetric flow and heat transfer in an incompressi ble micropolar fluid between two porous discs has been studied. A finite el ement analysis of the resulting system of nonlinear coupled differential eq uations representing the velocity, microrotation and temperature is present ed. The numerical results for the radial and axial velocities, microrotatio n, temperature, skin friction, couple stress coefficient and the rate of he at transfer on the discs for different values of the micropolar parameter a nd the injection Renolds number have been obtained. A comparison of the res ults is made with those obtained through the quasilinearisation method as w ell as the series solution for the viscous case, thus proving the versatili ty of the finite element method. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.