Abstract

This study presents a numerical analysis of magneto-radiative mixed convection in a Casson fluid confined within a wavy square enclosure containing a centrally heated circular cylinder. The combined effects of inclined magnetic fields, thermal radiation, and geometric waviness are examined to understand their influence on flow circulation, heat transfer, and entropy generation. The governing equations are solved using the finite element method (FEM) with appropriate grid independence and convergence verification. Results are expressed through detailed streamlines, isotherms, and Nusselt number variations for a wide range of dimensionless parameters. The findings reveal that increasing the Casson parameter, Darcy number and Reynolds number enhances flow circulation, whereas higher Hartmann numbers suppress it. Lid inclination markedly alters flow topology, thermal fields and entropy distribution. Enlarging the heated cylinder radius broadens isothermal zones and elevates total entropy. Notably, the average Nusselt number increases by a factor of 8.4 when the radiation parameter rises from 0.5 to 10 and the lid inclination changes from 0° to 90°. Furthermore, average kinetic energy grows with the Casson parameter but declines as radiation effects intensify. These results offer new insights into magneto-radiative transport in complex geometries, with potential applications in energy systems, materials processing and thermal management technologies.