Flow of Non-Newtonian Fluids Through Eccentric Annuli

Abstract

Summary The laminar eccentric annular flow of non-Newtonian fluids is analyzed with a new method where an eccentric annulus is represented by an infinite number of concentric annuli with variable outer radii. The analytical solutions for the shear stress, shear rate, velocity, and volumetric flow rate/pressure gradient are obtained for both power-law and Bingham-plastic fluids. This method is shown to provide more accurate approximations for various profiles and good predictions of the volumetric flow rate/pressure gradient in eccentric annular flow. In addition, turbulent eccentric annular flow is discussed.