Peristaltic pumping of a Herschel-Bulkley fluid in a channel

Peristaltic transport of Herschel-Bulkley fluid in a channel is investigated. The effects of yield stress and wave amplitude on the pumping characteristics are obtained and discussed. It is observed that for Herschel-Bulkley fluid, the peristaltic wave passing over the channel wall pumps more fluid against pressure rise compared to a power-law fluid. Furthermore, the results for trapping phenomena are obtained and discussed for Newtonian, Bingham, power-law and Herschel-Bulkley fluids. (c) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved