Boundary-layer flows in non-Newtonian fluids.

Abstract

We examine the boundary-layer flow of generalised Newtonian fluids. A specific member of this class of non-Newtonian fluids, namely the Ostwald-de Waele or power-law fluid, is studied in some detail. We show, through the numerical solution of the governing equations, that this empirical model of fluids encountered in physical and industrial situations is of limited benefit when considering the boundary-layer flow of such a fluid. We then develop and employ a Carreau viscosity model in the same context and show that the numerical marching scheme has better convergence behaviour than was the case for power-law fluids. We also investigate the boundary-layer flow of a Newtonian fluid over a thin film of non-Newtonian fluid, described by a Carreau fluid model, by focusing specifically on similarity-type solutions.