Effects of Power Law Fluid Characteristics on Core-Annular Flow in a Horizontal Pipe

In this work, a case of axisymmetric perfect core-annular flow (PCAF) is considered, where both the fluids are assumed to be incompressible and immiscible having different flow-behaviour and consistency indices, respectively. A steady and fully developed flow is studied theoretically with a focus on role of power law characteristics on CAF velocity profiles. It is noted that a low viscosity shear thinning fluid in the core significantly affects the velocity profiles. However, if the core has very high viscosity, the CAF velocity profile is almost independent of its flow-behaviour index. Further, a low viscosity shear thinning fluid can be the most promising option to be used as annular fluid in the CAF arrangement while transporting high viscous fluid in the CAF arrangement.