Analytical solution of magnetohydrodynamic sink flow

An analytical solution to the famous Falkner-Skan equation for the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow is obtained for a special case, namely, the sink flow with a velocity power index of −1. The solution is given in a closed form. Multiple solution branches are obtained. The effects of the magnetic parameter and the wall stretching parameter are analyzed. Interesting velocity profiles are observed with reversal flow regions even for a stationary wall. These solutions provide a rare case of the Falkner-Skan MHD flow with an analytical closed form formula. They greatly enrich the analytical solution for the celebrated Falkner-Skan equation and provide better understanding of this equation.     

The velocity profile of laminar MHD flows in circular conducting pipes

We present numerical simulations without modeling of an incompressible, laminar, unidirectional circular pipe flow of an electrically conducting fluid under the influence of a uniform transverse magnetic field. Our computations are performed using a finite-volume code that uses a charge-conserving formulation [called current-conservative formulation in references (Ni et al J Comput Phys 221(1):174–204, 2007, Ni et al J Comput Phys 227(1):205–228, 2007)]. Using high resolution unstructured meshes, we consider Hartmann numbers up to 3000 and various values of the wall conductance ratio c. In the limit c << Ha^-1{c{\ll}{\rm Ha}^{-1}} (insulating wall), our results are in excellent agreement with the so-called asymptotic solution (Shercliff J Fluid Mech 1:644–666, 1956). For higher values of the wall conductance ratio, a discrepancy with the asymptotic solution is observed and we exhibit regions of velocity overspeed in the Roberts layers. We characterise these overspeed regions as a function of the wall conductance ratio and the Hartmann number; a set of scaling laws is derived that is coherent with existing asymptotic analysis.     

Motion of a sphere in an electrically conducting rotating fluid

The combined effect of rotation and magnetic field is investigated for the axisymmetric flow due to the motion of a sphere in an inviscid, incompressible electrically conducting fluid having uniform rotation far upstream. The steady-state linearized equations contain a single parameter α=1/2βR _m, β being the magnetic pressure number and R _m the magnetic Reynolds number. The complete solution for the flow field and magnetic field is obtained and the distribution of vorticity and current density is found. The induced vorticity is O(α⁴) and the current density is O(R _m) on the sphere.     

Transient mixed convection in an enclosure driven by a sliding lid

Transient convection of an incompressible viscous fluid in a square cavity is investigated. The temperature at the top lid is higher than that at the bottom wall, producing a stably stratified overall configuration. The vertical sidewalls are insulated. Flow is initiated by an impulsive start of the sliding motion of the top lid. The transient features of the mixed convection are delineated by procuring numerical solutions in a wide range of parameters, i.e., 400≤Re≤4,000, 1.6×10⁵≤Gr≤1.6×10⁷. Flows and heat transfer characteristics are described both in the interior core and boundary-layer regions. In the large-time limit, the steady state features are depicted. Parallel experimental efforts are made by employing the particle image velocimetry (PIV) to visualize the steady state flow and thermal fields, together with thermocouple measurements.     

Unsteady laminar MHD flow and heat transfer in the stagnation region of an impulsively spinning and translating sphere in the presence of buoyancy forces

 An analysis has been carried out to determine the development of momentum and heat transfer occurring in the laminar boundary layer of an incompressible viscous electrically conducting fluid in the stagnation region of a rotating sphere caused by the impulsive motion of the free stream velocity and the angular velocity of the sphere. At the same time the wall temperature is also suddenly increased. This analysis includes both short and long-time solutions. The partial differential equations governing the flow are solved numerically using an implicit finite-difference scheme. There is a smooth transition from the short-time solution to the long-time solution. The surface shear stresses in the longitudinal and rotating directions and the heat transfer are found to increase with time, magnetic field, buoyancy parameter and the rotation parameter. Received on 27 January 2000     

Simultaneous determination of shear and extensional viscosities and wall slip by on-line rheometry with parameter fitting: an application to EPDM rubber

Shear and extensional viscosities and wall slip are determined simultaneously under extrusion processing conditions using an on-line rheometer. Because it is not possible to independently control flow rate and temperature, classical methods for interpretation of capillary data cannot be used with on-line rheometry. This limitation is overcome using computational optimization to fit parameters in a flow model. This consists of three parts, representing shear viscosity, extensional viscosity, and wall slip. Three-parameter, power law forms, based on local instantaneous deformation rates and including temperature dependence, are used for each, and analytic solutions applied for entry flow and flow in the capillary. For entry flow, the Cogswell–Binding approach is used, and for developed flow in the capillary a solution incorporating wall slip is derived. The rheometer, with interchangeable capillaries, is mounted in place of the die on a rubber profile extrusion line. Pressure drops and temperatures for extrusion of an EPDM rubber through 2 mm diameter capillaries of length 0, 2, 3, 4, and 5 mm are logged and flow rates determined for a range of extruder speeds (5 to 20 rpm). Pressures ranged from 60 to 75 bar and temperatures from 86 to 116 °C. Mean flow velocity in the capillaries was between 5 × 10⁻³ and 5 × 10⁻¹ m s⁻¹. The nine material parameters are optimized for best fit of the analytic pressure drops to experimental data, using about 100 data points, with the Levenberg–Marquardt method. It is concluded that flow is dominated by extension and wall slip. Shear flow appears to play little part. The slip model indicates that slip velocity increases much more rapidly than the wall shear stress (in the range 0.5–1 MPa) and decreases with temperature for a given stress level. Results for the (uniaxial) extensional viscosity represent an engineering approximation to this complex phenomenon at the high strains (approximately 200) and high extension rates (up to 800 s⁻¹) applying in the extrusion. Results indicate a slight extension hardening and a decrease with temperature. Results are put into the context of the available studies in the literature, which, particularly with regard to wall-slip and extensional flow, consider conditions far removed from those applying in industrial extrusion. The present methods provide a powerful means for flow characterization under processing conditions, providing data suitable for use in computer simulations of extrusion and optimization of die design.     

Hall effects on MHD flow in a rotating system with heat transfer characteristics

Closed-form solutions are derived for the steady magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) viscous flow in a parallel plate channel system with perfectly conducting walls in a rotating frame of reference, in the presence of Hall currents, heat transfer and a transverse uniform magnetic field. A mathematical analysis is described to evaluate the velocity, induced magnetic field and mass flow rate distributions, for a wide range of the governing parameters. Asymptotic behavior of the solution is analyzed for large M ² (Hartmann number squared) and K ² (rotation parameter). The heat transfer aspect is considered also with Joule and viscous heating effects present. Boundary layers arise close to the channel walls for large K ², i.e. strong rotation of the channel. For slowly rotating systems (small K ²), Hall current parameter (m) reduces primary mass flow rate (Q _x /R ρ v). Heat transfer rate at the upper plate (d θ/d η) _η=1 decreases, while at the lower plate (d θ/d η) _η=−1 increases, with increase in either K ² or m. For constant values of the rotation parameter, K ², heat transfer rate at both plates exhibits an oscillatory pattern with an increase in Hall current parameter, m. The response of the primary and secondary velocity components and also the primary and secondary induced magnetic field components to the control parameters is also studied graphically. Applications of the study arise in rotating MHD induction machine energy generators, planetary and solar plasma fluid dynamics systems, magnetic field control of materials processing systems, hybrid magnetic propulsion systems for space travel etc.     

Magnetohydrodynamic oblique stagnation-point flow

Laminar two-dimensional stagnation flow of a viscous and electrically conducting fluid obliquely impinging on a flat plate in the presence of a uniform applied magnetic field is formulated as a similarity solution of the Navier-Stokes equations. The relative importance of this flow is measured by the dimensionless strain rate and magnetohydrodynamic parameters γ and M. The viscous problem is reduced to a coupled pair of ordinary differential equations governed by γ and M. It is found that the parameter M causes a shift in the position of the point of zero skin friction along the wall.     

Rheostructural studies of a discotic mesophase pitch at processing flow conditions

The flow-induced microstructure of a mesophase pitch was studied within custom-made dies for changing wall shear rates from 20 to 1,100 s^− 1, a flow scenario that is typically encountered during fiber spinning. The apparent viscosity values, measured at the nominal wall shear rates ranging from 500 to 2,500 s^− 1 using these dies, remain fairly constant. The microstructure was studied in two orthogonal sections: r–θ (cross section) and r–z (longitudinal mid plane). In these dies, the size of the microstructure gradually decreases toward the wall (to as low as a few micrometers), where shear rate is highest. Furthermore, as observed in the r–θ plane of the capillary, for a significant fraction of the cross section, discotic mesophase has a radial orientation. Thus, the directors of disc-like molecules were aligned in the vorticity (θ) direction. As confirmed from the microstructure in the r–z plane, most of the discotic molecules remain nominally in the flow plane. Orientation of the pitch molecules in the shear flow conditions is consistent with that observed in controlled low-shear rheometric experiments reported earlier. Microstructral investigation suggests that the radial orientation of carbon fibers obtained from a mesophase pitch originates during flow of pitch through the die.     

Hydromagnetic free convection flow with induced magnetic field effects

An exact solution is presented for the hydromagnetic natural convection boundary layer flow past an infinite vertical flat plate under the influence of a transverse magnetic field with magnetic induction effects included. The transformed ordinary differential equations are solved exactly, under physically appropriate boundary conditions. Closed-form expressions are obtained for the non-dimensional velocity (u), non-dimensional induced magnetic field component (B _x ) and wall frictional shearing stress i.e. skin friction function (τ _x ) as functions of dimensionless transverse coordinate (η), Grashof free convection number (G _r ) and the Hartmann number (M). The bulk temperature in the boundary layer (Θ) is also evaluated and shown to be purely a function of M. The Rayleigh flow distribution (R) is derived and found to be a function of both Hartmann number (M) and the buoyant diffusivity parameter (ϑ ^*). The influence of Grashof number on velocity, induced magnetic field and wall shear stress profiles is computed. The response of Rayleigh flow distribution to Grashof numbers ranging from 2 to 200 is also discussed as is the influence of Hartmann number on the bulk temperature. Rayleigh flow is demonstrated to become stable with respect to the width of the boundary layer region and intensifies with greater magnetic field i.e. larger Hartman number M, for constant buoyant diffusivity parameter ϑ ^*. The induced magnetic field (B _x ), is elevated in the vicinity of the plate surface with a rise in free convection (buoyancy) parameter G _r , but is reduced over the central zone of the boundary layer regime. Applications of the study include laminar magneto-aerodynamics, materials processing and MHD propulsion thermo-fluid dynamics.     

Hydromagnetic flow and heat transfer adjacent to a stretching vertical sheet

An analysis is made for the steady two-dimensional magneto-hydrodynamic flow of an incompressible viscous and electrically conducting fluid over a stretching vertical sheet in its own plane. The stretching velocity, the surface temperature and the transverse magnetic field are assumed to vary in a power-law with the distance from the origin. The transformed boundary layer equations are solved numerically for some values of the involved parameters, namely the magnetic parameter M, the velocity exponent parameter m, the temperature exponent parameter n and the buoyancy parameter λ, while the Prandtl number Pr is fixed, namely Pr = 1, using a finite difference scheme known as the Keller-box method. Similarity solutions are obtained in the presence of the buoyancy force if n = 2m−1. The features of the flow and heat transfer characteristics for different values of the governing parameters are analyzed and discussed. It is found that both the skin friction coefficient and the local Nusselt number decrease as the magnetic parameter M increases for fixed λ and m. For m = 0.2 (i.e. n = −0.6), although the sheet and the fluid are at different temperatures, there is no local heat transfer at the surface of the sheet except at the singular point of the origin (fixed point).     

Maximum density effects on convective instability of horizontal plane poiseuille flows in the thermal entrance region

A linear stability analysis is used to study the conditions marking the onset of secondary flow in the form of longitudinal vortices for plane Poiseuille flow of water in the thermal entrance region of a horizontal parallel-plate channel by a numerical method. The water temperature range under consideration is 0∼30°C and the maximum density effect at 4°C is of primary interest. The basic flow solution for temperature includes axial heat conduction effect and the entrance temperature is taken to be uniform at far upstream location jackie=−∞ to allow for the upstream heat penetration through thermal entrance jackie=0. Numerical results for critical Rayleigh number are obtained for Peclet numbers 1, 10, 50 and thermal condition parameters (λ ₁, λ ₂) in the range of −2.0≤λ ₁≤−0.5 and −1.0≤λ ₂≤1.4. The analysis is motivated by a desire to determine the free convection effect on freezing or thawing in channel flow of water.     

Unsteady flow and heat transfer analysis of an impinging synthetic jet

The present paper focuses on the analysis of unsteady flow and heat transfer regarding an axisymmetric impinging synthetic jet on a constant heat flux disc. Synthetic jet is a zero net mass flux jet that provides an unsteady flow without any external source of fluid. Present results are validated against the available experimental data showing that the SST/k − ω turbulence model is more accurate and reliable than the standard and low-Re k − ε models for predicting heat transfer from an impinging synthetic jet. It is found that the time-averaged Nusselt number enhances as the nozzle-to-plate distance is increased. As the oscillation frequency in the range of 16–400 Hz is increased, the heat transfer is enhanced. It is shown that the instantaneous Nu distribution along the wall is influenced mainly by the interaction of produced vortex ring and wall boundary layer. Also, the fluctuation level of Nu decreases as the frequency is raised.     

BEM solution to magnetohydrodynamic flow in a semi‐infinite duct

We consider the magnetohydrodynamic flow that is laminar and steady of a viscous, incompressible, and electrically conducting fluid in a semi‐infinite duct under an externally applied magnetic field. The flow is driven by the current produced by a pressure gradient. The applied magnetic field is perpendicular to the semi‐infinite walls that are kept at the same magnetic field value in magnitude but opposite in sign. The wall that connects the two semi‐infinite walls is partly non‐conducting and partly conducting (in the middle). A BEM solution was obtained using a fundamental solution that enables to treat the magnetohydrodynamic equations in coupled form with general wall conductivities. The inhomogeneity in the equations due to the pressure gradient was tackled, obtaining a particular solution, and the BEM was applied with a fundamental solution of coupled homogeneous convection–diffusion type partial differential equations. Constant elements were used for the discretization of the boundaries (y = 0, ?a ? x ? a) and semi‐infinite walls at x = ±a, by keeping them as finite since the boundary integral equations are restricted to these boundaries due to the regularity conditions as y → ∞ . The solution is presented in terms of equivelocity and induced magnetic field contours for several values of Hartmann number (M), conducting length (l), and non‐conducting wall conditions (k). The effect of the parameters on the solution is studied. Flow rates are also calculated for these values of parameters. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The laminar plume above a line heat source in a transverse magnetic field

The dynamics of a buoyant plume rising above a horizontal line heat source in a transverse, horizontal magnetic field is investigated. Similarity is shown to occur when the magnetic field strength varies as the −2/5 power of vertical distance from the source. The plume depends on two parameters — the Prandtl number (Pr) and the Lykoudis number (Z _L). Families of exact closed form solutions are derived for Pr=5/9 and Pr≥2. A family of numerical integrations for Pr=0.01 (typical of liquid metals) is also reported. The magnetic field is shown to affect the profiles of velocity and temperature by altering the similarity functions, the coefficients, and the value of the independent similarity variable corresponding to a fixed physical position. An approximate closed form solution valid for low Pr and high Z _L is presented. Possible experimental tests of the theory are proposed. Research sponsored by the U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration under interagency agreement with Union Carbide Corporation.     

A carbon nanotube sensor for wall shear stress measurement

A novel carbon nanotube (CNT) sensor is being developed to measure the mean and fluctuating wall shear stress (WSS) in a turbulent boundary layer. The CNT WSS sensor is based on the thermal principle and featured by high spatial and temporal resolutions (in the order of nm and kHz, respectively), low power consumption (in the order of μW), and a compact fabrication process compared with traditional WSS measurement sensors. The CNT WSS-sensing element was characterized in detail before its calibration. The CNT sensor was operated under a constant temperature (CT) operation mode and an overheat ratio range of −0.15 to −0.19 and calibrated in a fully developed turbulent channel flow. It has been observed for the first time in a macroscopic flow that the sensor output power is approximately proportional to the 1/3 powered WSS, as expected for a thermal-principle-based WSS sensor, and the wall shear stress measurement is demonstrated for a low Reynolds number flow.     

Generalized Solution for 1-D Non-Newtonian Flow in a Porous Domain due to an Instantaneous Mass Injection

Non-Newtonian fluid flow through porous media is of considerable interest in several fields, ranging from environmental sciences to chemical and petroleum engineering. In this article, we consider an infinite porous domain of uniform permeability k and porosity f{\phi} , saturated by a weakly compressible non-Newtonian fluid, and analyze the dynamics of the pressure variation generated within the domain by an instantaneous mass injection in its origin. The pressure is taken initially to be constant in the porous domain. The fluid is described by a rheological power-law model of given consistency index H and flow behavior index n; n, < 1 describes shear-thinning behavior, n > 1 shear-thickening behavior; for n = 1, the Newtonian case is recovered. The law of motion for the fluid is a modified Darcy’s law based on the effective viscosity μ _ef , in turn a function of f, H, n{\phi, H, n} . Coupling the flow law with the mass balance equation yields the nonlinear partial differential equation governing the pressure field; an analytical solution is then derived as a function of a self-similar variable η = rt ^β (the exponent β being a suitable function of n), combining spatial coordinate r and time t. We revisit and expand the work in previous papers by providing a dimensionless general formulation and solution to the problem depending on a geometrical parameter d, valid for plane (d = 1), cylindrical (d = 2), and semi-spherical (d = 3) geometry. When a shear-thinning fluid is considered, the analytical solution exhibits traveling wave characteristics, in variance with Newtonian fluids; the front velocity is proportional to t ^(n-2)/2 in plane geometry, t ^{(2n-3)/(3−n)} in cylindrical geometry, and t ^{(3n-4)/[2(2−n)]} in semi-spherical geometry. To reflect the uncertainty inherent in the value of the problem parameters, we consider selected properties of fluid and matrix as independent random variables with an associated probability distribution. The influence of the uncertain parameters on the front position and the pressure field is investigated via a global sensitivity analysis evaluating the associated Sobol’ indices. The analysis reveals that compressibility coefficient and flow behavior index are the most influential variables affecting the front position; when the excess pressure is considered, compressibility and permeability coefficients contribute most to the total response variance. For both output variables the influence of the uncertainty in the porosity is decidedly lower.     

Characterization of the flow properties of sodium carboxymethylcellulose via mechanical and optical techniques

Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) in solution represents a complex rheological system, since it forms aggregates and associations and hence higher-level structures and, depending on the synthesis, is only found in a molecularly dispersed form in exceptional cases. Rheo-mechanical investigations of the viscoelasticity showed that the Cox-Merz rule is not fulfilled. The aim was therefore to examine whether rheo-optics could be employed to provide more detailed conclusions about the parameters that influence the flow behavior of NaCMC than has hitherto been available with mechanical methods. The flow birefringence, Δn ^′, rises as the degree of polymerization increases, and exhibits the same dependence on molar mass as does the viscosity: Δn ^′∝M _w ^3.4. As the degree of polymerization increases while the shear rate remains constant, the polymer segments become more distinctly aligned in the direction of shear. Hence increasing the degree of polymerization also affects the solution structure, i.e. the interaction of the molecules with one another. The stress-optical rule only applies to a limited extent for this system. The stress-optical coefficient, C, is almost independent of the shear rate, but is strongly influenced by the concentration and attains a limiting value of 3 × 10⁻⁸ Pa⁻¹. C was determined for a polymer in dilute solution and the curve obtained also enabled transitions in the solution structure to be recognized. Received: 1 May 1998 Accepted: 5 October 1998     

Natural convection in unsteady MHD couette flow

 The combined effect of natural convection and uniform transverse magnetic field on the couette flow of an electrically conducting fluid between two parallel plates for impulsive motion of one of the plates in discussed. Under the assumption of negligible induced magnetic field and applied magnetic field being fixed relative to the fluid or plate, the governing equations have been solved exactly, and the expressions for velocity and temperature field have been presented for two different cases. A comparative study is made between the velocity field for magnetic field fixed with respect to plate and magnetic field fixed with respect to fluid. Received on 12 July 1999     

Oscillatory Couette flow in the presence of an inclined magnetic field

Oscillatory MHD Couette flow of electrically conducting fluid between two parallel plates in a rotating system in the presence of an inclined magnetic field is considered when the upper plate is held at rest and the lower plate oscillates non-torsionally . An exact solution of the governing equations has been obtained by using Laplace transform technique. Asymptotic behavior of the solution is analyzed for M ² ≪1, K ² ≪1 and ω ≪1 and for large M ², K ² and ω. Numerical results of velocities are depicted graphically and the frictional shearing stresses are presented in tables. It is found that a thin boundary layer is formed near the lower plate, for large values of rotation parameter K ², Hartman number M ² and frequency parameter ω. The thickness of this boundary layer increases with increase in inclination of the magnetic field with the axis of rotation.