Mathematical models for the boundary layer flow due to a moving flat plate

Abstract

The boundary-layer flow over a moving continuous solid surface is important in several engineering processes. For example, materials manufactured by extrusion processes and heat-treated materials travelling between a feed roll and a wind-up roll or on conveyor belt possess the characteristics of a moving continuous surface. In this study, the mathematical model for a boundary layer flow due to a moving flat plate in micropolar fluid is discussed. The plate is moving continuously in the positive x -direction with a constant velocity. The governing boundary layer equations are solved numerically using an implicit finite difference scheme. Numerical results presented include the reduced velocity profiles, gyration component profiles and the development of wall shear stress or skin friction for a wide range of material parameter K takes the values, K = 0,0.1,0.3,0.5, 1,3, 5 and 10. The results obtained, when the material parameter K = 0 (Newtonian fluid), are in excellence agreement with those obtained for viscous fluids. Further, the wall shear stress increases with increasing K . For fixed K, the wall shear stress decreases and the gyration component increases with increasing values of n , in the range 0 I n I 1 where n is a ratio of the gyration vector component and the fluid shear stress at the wall.