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Analytical solution of magnetohydrodynamic sink flow

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Abstract

An analytical solution to the famous Falkner-Skan equation for the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow is obtained for a special case, namely, the sink flow with a velocity power index of −1. The solution is given in a closed form. Multiple solution branches are obtained. The effects of the magnetic parameter and the wall stretching parameter are analyzed. Interesting velocity profiles are observed with reversal flow regions even for a stationary wall. These solutions provide a rare case of the Falkner-Skan MHD flow with an analytical closed form formula. They greatly enrich the analytical solution for the celebrated Falkner-Skan equation and provide better understanding of this equation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA

    Ji Zhang  (章 骥) & Tie-gang Fang  (方铁钢)

  2. School of Engineering, Penn State Erie, the Behrend College, Erie, PA, 16563-1701, USA

    Yong-fang Zhong  (钟永芳)

Authors
  1. Ji Zhang  (章 骥)
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  2. Tie-gang Fang  (方铁钢)
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  3. Yong-fang Zhong  (钟永芳)
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Correspondence to Tie-gang Fang  (方铁钢).

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Zhang, J., Fang, Tg. & Zhong, Yf. Analytical solution of magnetohydrodynamic sink flow. Appl. Math. Mech.-Engl. Ed. 32, 1221–1230 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10483-011-1495-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10483-011-1495-9

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