Thermal Behavior of Radiative Darcy–Forchheimer Nanofluid Flow With Heat Source/Sink Effects

Abstract

This study examines the thermal and flow behavior of a radiative Darcy–Forchheimer nanofluid in a porous medium, incorporating internal heat source and sink effects. The combined influence of thermal radiation, porous resistance, and nonlinear inertial drag on momentum, heat, and mass transfer is systematically analyzed. The Darcy–Forchheimer model captures both viscous and inertial resistance, while thermal radiation and volumetric heat generation/absorption are included to reflect realistic high‐temperature porous systems. The coupled nonlinear momentum and energy equations are solved numerically using the MATLAB bvp4c solver, and the effects of key parameters—Forchheimer number, radiation parameter, and heat source/sink strength on velocity, temperature, and Nusselt number are evaluated. Results show that increasing radiation enhances the thermal boundary layer thickness and Nusselt number, whereas higher Forchheimer resistance suppresses velocity, with a range of 0.2 ≥ f′$$ {f}^{\prime } $$ ( ξ,n)$$ \xi, n\Big) $$ ≥ 0.17 (mean value). Heat sources raise the temperature profiles to 0.19 ≤ θ ( ξ,n)$$ \xi, n\Big) $$ ≤ 0.3 (mean), while sinks stabilize the thermal field. These findings provide quantitative insights into controlling flow and heat transfer in porous media, with direct relevance to advanced cooling systems, energy storage devices, and industrial thermal management applications.