Unsteady Hydromagnetic Couette Flow with Magnetic Field Lines Fixed Relative to the Moving Upper Plate

Abstract

This study concerns a magnetohydrodynamic flow between two parallel porous plates with injection and suction in the presence of a uniform transverse magnetic field with the magnetic field lines fixed relative to the moving plate with a constant pressure gradient. The study is aimed to determine the velocity profiles, the effects of permeability, pressure gradient and induced magnetic field on the flow. The nonlinear partial differential equation governing the flow are solved numerically using the finite difference method and implemented in MATLAB. The results obtained are presented in tables and graphs and the observations discussed on the effects of varying various parameters on the velocity profiles. A change is observed to either increase, decrease or to have no effect on the velocity profiles. The effect of magnetic field, time and suction /injection on the flow are discussed. The results provide useful information to the engineers to improve efficiency and performance of machines.