Turbulent biomagnetic fluid flow in a rectangular channel under the action of a localized magnetic field

Abstract The fundamental problem of the turbulent flow of a biomagnetic fluid (blood) between two parallel plates under the action of a localized magnetic field is studied. The blood is considered to be an electrically conducting, incompressible and Newtonian fluid and its flow is steady, two-dimensional and turbulent. The turbulent flow is described by the Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations. For the numerical solution of the problem under consideration, which is described by a coupled and non-linear system of PDEs, with appropriate boundary conditions, the stream function–vorticity formulation is used. For the eddy-kinematic viscosity, the low Reynolds number k – e turbulence model is adopted. The solution of the problem, for different values of the dimensionless parameter entering into it, is obtained by developing and applying an efficient numerical technique based on finite differences scheme. Results concerning the velocity and temperature field, skin friction and rate of heat transfer, indicate that the presence of the localized magnetic field, appreciable influences the turbulent flow field. A comparison is also made with the corresponding laminar flow, indicating that the influence of the magnetic field decreases in the presence of turbulence.