title: Numerical simulation of peristaltic flow of a biorheological fluid with shear-dependent viscosity in a curved channel.
abstract: Peristaltic motion of a non-Newtonian Carreau fluid is analyzed in a curved channel under the long wavelength and low Reynolds number assumptions, as a simulation of digestive transport. The flow regime is shown to be governed by a dimensionless fourth-order, nonlinear, ordinary differential equation subject to no-slip wall boundary conditions. A well-tested finite difference method based on an iterative scheme is employed for the solution of the boundary value problem. The important phenomena of pumping and trapping associated with the peristaltic motion are investigated for various values of rheological parameters of Carreau fluid and curvature of the channel. An increase in Weissenberg number is found to generate a small eddy in the vicinity of the lower wall of the channel, which is enhanced with further increase in Weissenberg number. For shear-thinning bio-fluids (power-law rheological index, n < 1) greater Weissenberg number displaces the maximum velocity toward the upper wall. For shear-thickening bio-fluids, the velocity amplitude is enhanced markedly with increasing Weissenberg number.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Mathematics and Statistics , International Islamic University , Islamabad 44000 , Pakistan.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: a Department of Mathematics and Statistics , International Islamic University , Islamabad 44000 , Pakistan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Javid
authors.affiliation: b Theoretical Physics Division, PINSTECH , P.O. Nilore, Islamabad 44000 , Pakistan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sajid
authors.affiliation: c Gort Engovation (Propulsion and Biomechanics) Research , 15 Southmere Avenue, Bradford , UK.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Anwar Bég
mesh_terms: D001826:Body Fluids / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010528:Peristalsis / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012212:Rheology; D014783:Viscosity
keywords: Carreau model; Weissenberg number; curved channel; gastric bio-fluid mechanics; peristalsis; wave frame