Biomagnetic fluid flow in a channel with stenosis

In this study, the fundamental problem of the biomagnetic (blood) fluid flow in a channel with stenosis under the influence of a steady localized magnetic field is studied. The mathematical model used for the formulation of the problem is consistent with the principles of ferrohydrodynamics (FHD) and magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). Blood is considered as a homogeneous Newtonian fluid and is treated as an electrically conducting magnetic fluid which also exhibits magnetization. For the numerical Solution of the problem, which is described by a coupled, non-linear system of PDEs, with appropriate boundary conditions, the stream function-vorticity formulation is adopted. The solution is obtained by the development of an efficient pseudotransient numerical methodology using finite differences. This methodology is based on the development of a semi-implicit numerical technique, transformations and stretching of the grid and proper construction of the boundary conditions for the vorticity. Results concerning the velocity and temperature field, skin friction and rate of heat transfer indicate that the presence of the magnetic field influences the flow field considerably. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.