Non-linear peristaltic flow of a non-Newtonian fluid under effect of a magnetic field in a planar channel

This paper is devoted to the study of peristaltic flow of a fourth grade fluid in a channel under the considerations of long wavelength and low-Reynolds number. The flow is examined in a wave frame of reference moving with velocity of the wave. The analytic solution has been obtained in the form of a stream function from which the axial velocity and axial pressure gradient have been derived. The results for the pressure rise and frictional force per wavelength have also been computed numerically. The computational results indicate that the pressure rise and frictional force per wavelength are increased in case of non-Newtonian fluid when compared with Newtonian fluid. Several graphs of physical interest are displayed and discussed. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.