Influence of inclined magnetic field on peristaltic transport of fourth grade fluid in an inclined asymmetric channel

This paper investigates the peristaltic motion of a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) non-Newtonian fluid in an inclined asymmetric channel. Constitutive equations obeying the fourth grade fluid model are employed. Mathematical modeling is developed in the presence of a constant inclined magnetic field making an angle with the vertical axis. Assumptions of long wave length and low Reynolds number are used in deriving solution for the flow. Closed form expressions for the stream function and pressure gradient are developed. Pressure rise per wave length and frictional forces on the channel walls have been computed numerically. Effects of Hartman number, Froude number and inclination of magnetic field on the axial velocity, pressure gradient, pumping and trapping are discussed in detail and shown graphically. Several limiting results can be obtained as the special cases of the problem under consideration. (C) 2010 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.