Non-newtonian secondary flows in ducts of rectangular cross-section

S. Thangam, C. G. Speziale

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

A numerical study of the secondary flows which occur in the laminar pressure-driven motion of dilute polymer solutions in ducts of rectangular cross-section is presented. The full nonlinear equations of motion for a Maxwell fluid with shear thinning are solved by an explicit finite-difference technique. Results are presented in an inertial framing which indicate the existence of the previously observed eight-vortex secondary flow in ducts of various aspect ratios. In addition, the effect of spanwise rotations on the strength and the structure of the secondary flow is examined. The results indicate that even the mere presence of the diurnal rotation of the earth can give rise to a double-vortex secondary flow which is of a comparable order of magnitude to the viscoelastic secondary flows in dilute polymer solutions. Specific computations are presented which illustrate the distortional effect that the imposition of a spanwise rotation has on the viscoelastic secondary flow structure in square ducts. The implications that these results can have on laboratory experiments are discussed briefly along with other possible applications to rotating and curved flows.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)121-138
Number of pages18
JournalActa Mechanica
Volume68
Issue number3-4
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1987

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Non-newtonian secondary flows in ducts of rectangular cross-section'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this