Unsteady three-dimensional mixed convection flow with temperature dependent viscosity

The effect of temperature-dependent viscosity and Prandtl number on the unsteady laminar incompressible mixed-convection flow of water at the stagnation point of a 3D body is investigated analytically, considering both semisimilar and self-similar flows for the case of unsteadiness introduced by wall temperature, surface mass transfer, and time-dependent free-stream velocity. The governing equations are derived and solved using an implicit finite-difference approach, and the numerical results are presented graphically. Mass transfer is found to exert a greater influence on heat transfer than on skin friction, while both parameters are affected by the variation of viscosity and Prandtl number associated with temperature change. The latter effect is shown to be stronger in flows with large buoyancy forces.