Couple stress fluid past a sphere embedded in a porous medium

Abstract

This paper concerns the analytical investigation of the axisymmetric and steady flow of incompressible couple stress fluid through a rigid sphere embedded in a porous medium. In the porous region, the flow field is governed by Brinkman's equation. Here we consider uniform flow at a distance from the sphere. The boundary conditions applied on the surface of the sphere are the slip condition and zero couple stress. Analytical solution of the problem in the terms of stream function is presented by modified Bessel functions. The drag experienced by an incompressible couple stress fluid on the sphere within the porous medium is calculated. The effects of the slip parameter, the couple stress parameter, and permeability on the drag are represented graphically. Special cases of viscous flow through a sphere are obtained and the results are compared with earlier published results.