Flow of Oldroyd 8-constant fluid in a scraped surface heat exchanger

Abstract

In this work the flow of the Oldroyd 8-constant fluid model in a scraped surface heat exchanger (SSHE) is studied. We have taken the steady incompressible isothermal flow of a fluid around a periodic arrangement of pivoted scraper blades in a channel for a generalized Poiseuille flow, and the flow is modeled using the lubrication-approximation theory (LAT), where as in SSHE the gaps between the blades and the device walls are narrow. Using these approximations we got the non-linear boundary value problem which is solved using the Adomian decomposition method. Expressions for velocity profiles for different regions, flow rates, stream function are obtained. Graphical and tabular representation for the velocity profile and for the different flow parameters involved is also incorporated. Foodstuffs behave as non-Newtonian material, possess shear-thinning and shear-thickening effects, so they are considered for the understanding of non-Newtonian effects inside the SSHE Oldroyd 8-constant fluid model. In addition to food industry this work will also be helpful in pharmaceutical and chemical industries as most of the materials used in the industry are non-Newtonian in nature.