Computational modelling and simulation of biomagnetic fluid flow in a stenotic and aneurysmal artery

Abstract

This thesis is concerned with the development of mathematical models for the computation and simulation of biomagnetic fluid flow in either a stenosed or aneurysmal artery in the presence of non-uniform magnetic fields. The mathematical models take into account blood rheology where blood behaves as a magnetic fluid due to the complex interaction of intercellular protein, cell membrane and haemoglobin. The present study involves steady three-dimensional biomagnetic fluid flow and mass transfer through a horizontal cylinder. Numerical solutions obtained through a finite volume method shows that the magnetisation force has an effect on the fluid concentration and exerts a greater influence on the secondary flow motions compared to that caused by the Lorentz force. Earlier studies allow only Lorentz force due to uniform magnetic fields but neglect the effect of magnetisation force. Here, a modified finite difference method has also been designed specifically to study separately the effect of magnetisation force, Lorentz force or both, on a steady two-dimensional channel flow. It is observed that a distorted asymmetric flow profile is presented near the magnetic source and that the Lorentz force gives little influence to the flow behaviours, vindicating previous proposition that the Lorentz force need not be considered in the model of biomagnetic fluid flow.