Analysis of temperature dependent properties of a peristaltic MHD flow in a non-uniform channel: A Casson fluid model

Abstract

Abstract The current work pertains to the peristaltic motion of a Casson fluid through a non-uniform channel with exposure to a radial magnetic field. The wall properties of the channel are taken into consideration. Moreover, the fluid is considered to possess variable viscosity which shows exponential variation across the width of the channel. The investigations also consider the mass and heat transfer properties of the Casson fluid, where convective boundary conditions are used and the thermal conductivity is taken be varying with fluid temperature. The model is built to give insight into blood flow through small vessels. Solution to the problem is obtained by the method of perturbation. The graphical analysis reveals an increase in the effect of variable viscosity on the fluid velocity close to the walls of the channel and also on the size of the bolus formed during trapping. Furthermore, an increase in fluid temperature was observed due to variable thermal conductivity.