Numerical exploration of dual solutions in flow and heat transfer of polymeric fluids over a shrinking surface

Ahmad, Adeel; Sahreen, Ayesha; Nawaz, Rab

doi:10.22055/jacm.2026.49744.6209

Numerical exploration of dual solutions in flow and heat transfer of polymeric fluids over a shrinking surface

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Adeel Ahmad ¹

Ayesha Sahreen ¹

Rab Nawaz ²

¹ COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan

² Gulf University for Science and Technology, Hawally, 32093, Kuwait

10.22055/jacm.2026.49744.6209

Abstract

This study investigates the incompressible polymeric fluid flow and heat transfer over a shrinking surface, emphasizing the influence of polymer additives on boundary-layer behavior. The Oldroyd-B constitutive model is employed, and the governing equations are transformed using similarity variables and solved numerically. Dual solutions are identified within a specific range of the suction parameter, confirming the multiplicity of physically realizable flow states. Quantitative analysis shows that polymer additives reduce the drag coefficient by approximately 10% in the upper-branch solution while enhancing it by about 12% in the lower branch. The surface heat transfer rate decreases by nearly 5% in both branches when polymers are present. These results demonstrate that polymer additives significantly modify both the hydrodynamic and thermal fields, leading to drag-reduction benefits and suppressed heat transfer. The findings offer useful insights for optimizing polymer-assisted flow control strategies in advanced thermal and industrial fluid-handling systems.

Keywords

Polymer

shrinking surface

drag reduction

heat transfer enhancement

dual solutions

Subjects