Statistical Analysis of Hydrodynamic Forces in Power-Law Fluid Flow in a Channel: Circular Versus Semi-Circular Cylinder

This numerical study is about the steady incompressible non-Newtonian fluid flow in a channel with static obstacles. The flow field is governed by the Generalized Navier-Stokes equations incorporating the constitutive relation of power-law fluids. Three cases are considered: 1) circular obstacle (C (1)) , 2) semicircular obstacle (C- 2) , and 3) both circular and semicircular obstacles. A range of values of the power-law index 0.3 <= n <= 1.7 are considered at Re = 20 to check the impact of shear-thinning and shear-thickening viscosity on the drag and lift coefficients. The correlation between drag and lift coefficients is calculated against the power-law index. The simulated results of velocity and pressure are investigated at different sections of the channel. Benchmark results of drag and lift for the Newtonian fluid are reproduced as a special case. A strong positive correlation is observed between drag and lift coefficients in the case of a single obstacle, while in the case of dual obstacles and inverse correlation, drag and lift coefficients have been found.