Peristaltic Induced Flow of a Particulate Suspension in a Non-uniform Tube

Abstract

The flow of a particle-fluid suspension in a non-uniform tube induced by sinusoidal peristaltic wave motion of the wall has been investigated. The equations governing the flow for both the fluid and particle phases have been solved and the expressions for the flow rate, pressure rise and friction force has been derived. It is shown that pressure rise increases with the particle concentration but decreases with increasing flow rate. In addition, the pressure rise increases indefinitely with amplitude ratio for any given set of other parameters. Pressure rise assumes considerably smaller magnitude in a non-uniform tube as compared to its corresponding magnitude in uniform diameter tube. Friction force possesses the characteristics opposite to the pressure rise for any given set of parameters