Dispersion of a solute in pulsatile non-Newtonian fluid flow through a tube

Abstract

The unsteady dispersion of a solute by an imposed pulsatile pressure gradient in a tube is studied by modeling the flowing fluid as a Casson fluid. The generalized dispersion model is applied to study the dispersion process, and according to this process, the entire dispersion process is expressed in terms of two coefficients, the convection and the dispersion coefficients. This model mainly brings out the effects of yield stress and flow pulsatility on the dispersion process. It is observed that the dispersion phenomenon in the pulsatile flow inherently differs from the steady flow, which is due to a change in the plug flow radius during a cycle of oscillation. Also, it was found that the dispersion coefficient fluctuates due to the oscillatory nature of the velocity. It is seen that the dispersion coefficient changes cyclically, and the amplitude and magnitude of the dispersion coefficient increases initially with time and reaches a non-transient state after a certain critical time. It is also seen that this critical time varies with Womersley frequency parameter and Schmidt number and is independent of yield stress and fluctuating pressure component. It is observed that the yield stress and Womersley frequency parameter inhibit the dispersion of a solute. It is also observed that the dispersion coefficient decreased approximately 4 times as the Womersley frequency parameter increases from 0.5 to 1. The study can be used in the understanding of the dispersion process in the cardiovascular system and blood oxygenators.