An analytical study of linear and non-linear double diffusive convection with Soret and Dufour effects in couple stress fluid

The onset of double diffusive convection in a two component couple stress fluid layer with Soret and Dufour effects has been studied using both linear and non-linear stability analysis. The linear theory depends on normal mode technique and non-linear analysis depends on a minimal representation of double Fourier series. The effect of couple stress parameter, the Soret and Dufour parameters, and the Prandtl number on the stationary and oscillatory convection are presented graphically. The Dufour parameter enhances the stability of the couple stress fluid system in case of both stationary and oscillatory mode. The effect of positive Soret parameter is to destabilize the system in case of stationary mode while it stabilizes the system in case of oscillatory mode. The negative Soret parameter enhances the stability in both stationary and oscillatory mode. The couple stress parameter enhances the stability of the system in both stationary and oscillatory modes. The Dufour parameter increases the heat transfer while the couple stress parameter has reverse effect. The Soret parameter has negligible influence on heat transfer. Both Dufour and Soret parameters increases the mass transfer while the couple stress parameter has dual effect depending on the value of the Rayleigh number. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.