A comparison of non-Newtonian models for lattice Boltzmann blood flow simulations

In the present paper, three non-Newtonian models for blood are used in a lattice Boltzmann flow solver to simulate non-Newtonian blood flows. Exact analytical solutions for two of these models have been derived and presented for a fully developed 2D channel flow. Original results for the use of the K–L model in addition to the Casson and Carreau–Yasuda models are reported for non-Newtonian flow simulations using a lattice Boltzmann (LB) flow solver. Numerical simulations of non-Newtonian flow in a 2D channel show that these models predict different mass flux and velocity profiles even for the same channel geometry and flow boundary conditions. Which in turn, suggests a more careful model selection for more realistic blood flow simulations. The agreement between predicted velocity profiles and those of exact solutions is excellent, indicating the capability of the LB flow solver for such complex fluid flows.