Abstract
This study presents a numerical investigation of the flow field in a screw pump designed to circulate biological fluid such as blood. A simplified channel flow model is used to allow analysis using a Cartesian set of coordinates. Finite analytic (FA) numerical simulation of the flow field inside the channel was performed to study the influence of Reynolds number and pressure gradient on velocity distribution and shear stresses across the channel cross-section. Simulation results were used to predict flow rates, circulatory flow and the shear stresses, which are known to be related to the level of red blood cell damage (hemolysis) caused by the pump. The study shows that high shear levels are confined to small regions within the channel cross-section, but the circulatory nature of the flow causes an increased percentage of blood elements to pass through the high shear regions, and increases the likelihood of cell damage.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 33-40 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Journal of Visualization |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2005 |
Keywords
- Blood flow
- Blood hemolysis
- Finite analytic method
- Flow simulation
- Screw pumps
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering