Abstract

Hybrid or binary nanofluids have superior mechanical and thermal characteristics but the tri-hybrid nanofluids comprise of more embellished thermal properties, better physical strength, and enhanced stability. The present work characterizes the thermal and physical aspects of the hybrid and tri-hybrid nanofluids. The nano-composition of graphene oxide ( Go) and cobalt ( Co) is used in the amalgamation of hybrid nanofluid Go-Co/H 2 O, whereas the addition of zirconium oxide ( ZrO 2 ) in this mixture gives rise to the ternary Go-Co-ZrO 2 /H 2 O hybrid nanofluid. The activation energy and viscous dissipation terms are also amended in the governing equations. The mathematical framework consists of a complex natured dynamical system. However, a numerical algorithm based on finite-difference discretization is developed which can solve the system numerically via the MATLAB software. A comparison with the existing literature is provided in order to validate the numerical procedure. From the outcomes, it is noticed that the temperature of hybrid as well as tri-hybrid nanofuid increases rapidly with change in concentration of zirconium oxide and cobalt. Temperature increases up to 20% by taking 0.1 volume fraction of both zirconium oxide and cobalt. Porous medium and activation energy resist the flow and concentration respectively. A comparative judgment evidently reveals that tri-hybrid Go-Co-ZrO 2 /H 2 O nanofluid has a substantial effect on temperature as equated to hybrid or pure nanofluid.