Abstract
A mathematical model of a non-Newtonian fluid (Eyring-Powell fluid) flow with peristalsis under the effect of varying magnetic field and free convection heat transfer has been discussed. Most of the previous attempts of peristaltic flow problems for a non-Newtonian fluid have been solved by using the perturbation technique for a small non-Newtonian parameter, which gives some limits for the results. To avoid such restriction, the variational iteration method (VIM) is applied to solve the current model. A code is established by using the symbolic software MATHEMATICA to get the successive solutions. Semi-analytical solutions are found by VIM for the velocity, heat transfer, pressure gradient and stream function, which include Eyring-Powell fluid parameters. Moreover, a comparison between VIM and numerical solutions is discussed. The obtained results show that the variation of the heat transfer for the Newtonian fluid is large compared with the Eyring-Powell fluid. In addition, it is noteworthy that the peristaltic transport overcomes on Lorentz force nearby the peristaltic walls.