Mixing of a Generalized Newtonian Fluid in a Cavity

Abstract

Mixing of a generalized Newtonian fluid in a corotating discontinuous cavity flow is studied. The flow period and the rheological coefficients are used as parameters. Using geometrical construction of periodic orbits and bifurcation analysis we find mixing windows in the parameter space. A system within a mixing window is capable of producing uniform mixtures. Some bifurcation values have also been determined. A system whose parameters are in the neighborhood of these values will mostly not produce a uniform mixture. The main conclusion is that shear thinning degrades mixing in the cavity flow.