On the flow of a non-Newtonian liquid induced by intestine-like contractions

This paper considers the flow of an inelastic liquid which is generated by contractions like those of the intestine. Unlike regular peristaltic motion, these contractions occur locally over a finite length and have a finite amplitude. We adopt a contraction model due to Macagno and Christensen and repeat their analysis for an inelastic liquid. Our analysis, which is based on a Boundary Element Method, indicates that the net flow rate depends very weakly on the power-law index. The pumping action is therefore similar to that of a positive displacement pump.