A mathematical description of peristaltic hydromagnetic flow in a tube

Peristaltic motion of an incompressible non-Newtonian fluid in a deformable tube is studied under long wavelength and low Reynolds number. The effect of magnetic field on the motion of a Johnson-Segalman fluid has been modelled. Analytical solutions are obtained for the stream function, axial velocity and axial pressure gradient under the small Weissenberg number. The pressure rise and frictional force per wavelength have been computed through numerical integration. The study shows that, in addition to Weissenberg number and the effect of magnetic field, the occlusion and volume flux also affect the peristaltic flow. These effects are noticeable in the stream function, axial velocity, axial pressure gradient, the pressure rise and the frictional force. Graphs are plotted for axial pressure gradient, pressure rise and frictional force and discussed in detail. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.