Numerical study of magneto-convective heat and mass transfer from inclined surface with Soret diffusion and heat generation effects: A model for ocean magnetic energy generator fluid dynamics

A mathematical model is developed for steady state magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) heat and mass transfer flow along an inclined surface in an ocean MHD energy generator device with heat generation and thermo-diffusive (Soret) effects. The governing equations are transformed into nonlinear ordinary differential equations with appropriate similarity variables. The emerging two-point boundary value problem is shown to depend on six dimensionless thermophysical parameters - magnetic parameter, Grashof number, Prandtl number, modified Prandtl number, heat source parameter and Soret number in addition to plate inclination. Numerical solutions are obtained for the nonlinear coupled ordinary differential equations for momentum, energy and salinity (species) conservation, numerically, using the Nachtsheim–Swigert shooting iteration technique in conjunction with the Runge–Kutta sixth order iteration scheme. Validation is achieved with Nakamura's implicit finite difference method. Further verification is obtained via the semi-numerical Homotopy analysis method (HAM). With an increase in magnetic parameter, skin friction is depressed whereas it generally increases with heat source parameter. Salinity magnitudes are significantly reduced with increasing heat source parameter. Temperature gradient is decreased with Prandtl number and salinity gradient (mass transfer rate) is also reduced with modified Prandtl number. Furthermore, the flow is decelerated with increasing plate inclinations and temperature also depressed with increasing thermal Grashof number.