Integral transform approach in chemically reacting non-Newtonian flows

Exact solutions for the mass entry region in flows of non-Newtonian fluids subjected to chemical reactions within both parallel plates and tubular reactors are obtained through the integral transform approaches. It is considered a formulation in which are taken into account irreversible chemical reactions of general orders into the medium and at the reactor walls, after that a solution based on the ideas of the well-established Generalized Integral Transform Technique (GITT) is developed. In addition, a second solution is also obtained with the so-called Classical Integral Transform Technique (CITT) for the cases of chemical reactions of first order. Benchmark results for bulk concentrations and Sherwood numbers, for these situations of reactions of first order, are computed in the mass entry region within the governing parameters. Comparisons of the results evaluated with the two integral transform approaches are also performed, as well as against those previously reported in the literature for typical situations. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.