Non Newtonian transport in OpenFOAM: validation and applications

Resumo

Most of the fluids used in all industries nowadays can be classified as non-newtonian. In numerical
simulations conducted via Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) techniques, as a consequence of its highly
non-linear behavior, this kind of material is usually described by a mathematical model. The way this model
represents the fluid affects immensely the manner it flows in a domain, and the correct transport model can
increase precision and detail capturing of a simulation. The purpose of this work is to validate the
Herschel-Bulkley rheology model, implemented in the CFD open source tool OpenFOAM, reproducing
experimental conditions and comparing results with benchmark data. To this end, the cases chosen for study all
involved non-newtonian fluids, and are extensively researched problems in civil engineering. Furthermore, it is
presented an application of rheology in CFD in the investigation of blood flow in the aortic arch. Four different
rheology models are used to simulate blood behavior, Carreau, Casson, Cross and Power Law.