Simultaneous effects of variable viscosity and thermal conductivity on peristaltic flow in a vertical asymmetric channel

Abstract

This paper discusses the effects of variable viscosity and thermal conductivity on peristaltic flow of a Newtonian fluid in a vertical asymmetric channel. Both viscosity and thermal conductivity are considered as a function of temperature. The long wavelength approximation is used to linearize the governing equations. The system of the governing nonlinear partial differential equation is solved using the perturbation method. Solutions are obtained for the velocity field, the temperature and the concentration. Asymmetry in the flow is induced by traveling waves of different phase and amplitude that propagate along the channel walls. The numerical results show that variable viscosity and thermal conductivity have significant influence on velocity, temperature, and mass transfer. The importance of pertinent flow parameters entering into the flow modeling is discussed.