Momentum and Heat Transfer Characteristics for the Flow of Power-Law Fluids over a Semicircular Cylinder

In this study, the two-dimensional steady flow of power-law fluids past a semicircular cylinder (flat face oriented upstream) has been investigated numerically. The governing equations (continuity, momentum, and energy) have been solved in the steady symmetric flow regime over the range of the Reynolds number (0.01 ≤ Re ≤ 25), power-law index (0.2 ≤ n ≤ 1.8), and Prandtl number (0.72 ≤ Pr ≤ 100). Extensive new results reported here endeavor to elucidate the role of power-law index (0.2 ≤ n ≤ 1.8) on the critical Reynolds number denoting the onset of flow separation (Re c ) and of vortex shedding (Re c ). In shear-thinning fluids, both of these transitions are seen to be delayed than that in Newtonian and shear-thickening fluids. Furthermore, the influence of the Reynolds and Prandtl numbers, power-law index on drag phenomenon, and heat characteristics of semicircular cylinder have been studied in the steady flow regime. Finally, the present numerical values of the critical Reynolds numbers and the average Nusselt number have been correlated by simple forms which are convenient for interpolating these results for the intermediate values of the governing parameters in a new application.