Convection-Diffusion Interaction for Oscillatory Flow in a Tapered Tube

Abstract

Transport of soluble material is analyzed for volume-cycle oscillatory flow in a tapered tube. The equations of motion are solved using a regular perturbation method for small taper angle and order unity amplitude over a range of the Womersley parameter. The transport equation is also solved by a regular perturbation method where uniform end concentrations and no wall flux are assumed. The time-averaged axial transport of solute is calculated for several tapered tubes. There is substantial modification of transport compared to the straight tube case and the results are interpreted with respect to pulmonary gas exchange.