Free-surface non-Newtonian fluid flow in a round pipe

Free-surface pseudoplastic and viscoplastic fluid flows in a round pipe were studied for the case where the direction of motion coincides with the direction of gravity. Numerical modeling was performed using a technique based on a combination of the SIMPLE algorithm and the method of invariants. Three characteristic filling regimes were found to exist: a complete filling regime, a regime characterized by air-cavity formation on the solid wall, and a jet regime. Critical parameter values separating the regions of existence of these regimes were calculated. The evolution of quasisolid cores was studied for flow of a fluid with an yield point.