Flow of inelastic and viscoelastic fluids past a sphere

Abstract

This is essentially an engineering study undertaken with a view to providing drag coefficient correlations for the motion of a solid sphere in inelastic and viscoelastic fluids over a wide range of Reynolds numbers. An approximate closed form analytical solution has been obtained for the motion of a solid sphere in powerlaw fluids and this solution has been verified experimentally. The high Reynolds number flow was analysed theoretically using boundary layer theory; the results were used to separate form and skin friction. Viscoelastic fluids showed “drag reduction” at high Reynolds number. About 300 experimental data points were used to obtain drag coefficient correlations over a wide range of material and flow parameters.