Iranian Journal of Chemical Engineering (IJChE)
Scientific Journal

Numerical Simulation of Non Newtonian Fluid Flow Around Two Cylinders Under the Influence of a Magnetic Field Using the Multiple Relaxation Time Lattice Boltzmann Method

Articles in Press

Document Type : Regular Article

Authors

Amir Hossein Shokouhi-Bafghi 1
Mohammad Sefid 1
Mohsen Mozafari-Shamsi 2

1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran

2 Department of Engineering, University of Meybod, Meybod, Iran

10.22034/ijche.2026.596449.1609
Abstract
In this study, a comprehensive parametric study and thermal-hydrodynamic performance analysis of two tandem cylinders immersed in the freestream of a power-law non-Newtonian fluid under the influence of a uniform magnetic field is conducted using the multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann method (MRT-LBM). The influences of the power-law index (n), Reynolds number (Re), Hartmann number (Ha), and the spacing ratio between the cylinders (L/D) on the hydrodynamic and thermal characteristics of the flow are systematically analyzed. The results indicate that increasing n, Re, Ha, and L/Dleads to a reduction in the percentage of critical regions (Nu_m<1). Furthermore, while the average Nusselt number monotonically increases with rising Re, n, and Ha, the drag coefficient decreases with increasing Reynolds number due to inertial domination, but increases with higher Hartmann numbers and power-law indices. Among the investigated parameters, heat transfer enhancement exhibits the greatest sensitivity to the Reynolds number, followed by the power-law index, magnetic field strength, and cylinder spacing. In contrast, the drag coefficient is primarily governed by the magnetic field strength, followed by the Reynolds number, power-law index, and cylinder spacing. The maximum observed enhancements for the Nusselt number and drag coefficient are 277.3% and 4104.4%, respectively. Finally, high-accuracy empirical correlations are developed to predict the average Nusselt number and drag coefficient for the tandem cylinder configuration.

Keywords

Cylinder
Power law non Newtonian fluid
Multiple relaxation time lattice Boltzmann method (MRT LBM)
Magnetic field
Nusselt number
Drag coefficient
Subjects
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Available Online from 17 October 2026

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