Peristaltic transport of a MHD Carreau fluid in a tapered asymmetric channel with permeable walls

Abstract

The effect of permeable walls and magnetic field on the peristaltic flow of a Carreau fluid in a tapered asymmetric channel is studied. The tapered asymmetric channel is normally created due to the intra-uterine fluid flow induced by myometrial contractions and it was simulated by asymmetric peristaltic fluid flow in a two-dimensional infinite non-uniform channel. The analysis has been performed under long wavelength and low-Reynolds number assumptions to linearize the governing flow equations. A series solution in respect of a small Weissenberg number is obtained for the stream function, axial pressure gradient and shear stress. Time average of pressure rise and frictional force on the upper wall has also been computed using numerical integration. The results have been presented graphically for the various interested physical parameters. It is observed that for Carreau fluids the peristalsis works as a pump against a greater pressure rise compared with a Newtonian fluid, while there exists no significant difference in free pumping flux for Newtonian and Carreau fluids in the tapered asymmetric channel.