A potential alternative CFD simulation for steady Carreau–Bird law-based shear thickening model: Part-I

Abstract

The current article provides the numerical investigation into an infinite-length circular cylinder placed as an obstacle in the flow of non-Newtonian fluid. To be more specific, a channel of length 2.2 m and height 0.41 m is considered. The Power law fluid model is carried out with Carreau–Bird law as a non-Newtonian fluid model, and both the Power law linear (constant) and parabolic velocity profiles are initiated simultaneously at an inlet of the channel. The right wall as an outlet is carried with Neumann condition. The relative velocity of Power law fluid particles with both the lower and upper walls is taken zero. A mathematical model is structured in terms of nonlinear differential equations. A well-trusted numerical technique named finite element method is adopted commercially. The LBB-stable element pair is utilized to approximate the velocity and pressure. The nonlinear iterations are stopped when the residual is dropped by $$10^{ - 6}$$ . The impact of Power law index and Reynolds number on the primitive variables is inspected. The obtained observations in this direction are provided by means of both the contour plots and line graphs. Due to a circular obstacle, both the drag and lift coefficients are evaluated around the outer surface of an obstacle towards the higher values of the Power law index. The numerical values of drag and lift coefficients up to various refinement mesh levels of domain are provided by way of tables. It is noticed that the parabolic velocity profile at an inlet of channel is compatible as compared to the linear velocity profile. Further, both the drag and lift coefficients are increasing function of Power law index.