Thermo-electrical analysis of blood flow in diseased arteries: A thermodynamic and numerical treatment

Abstract

This work investigates blood flow (BF) via a stenotic vessel using the Sutterby fluid model, providing numerical solutions that capture the complex non-Newtonian flow dynamics. Buongiorno's formulation is employed to account for the impacts of nanoparticle transport via Brownian motion and thermophoresis. The primary objective is to explore the impact of key physical parameters on BF behaviour in the presence of mild stenosis. A coupled system of non-linear partial differential equations governing momentum, energy, and mass transport is formulated, nondimensionalized, and simplified with the assumptions of mild stenosis. The resultant model is resolved computationally by applying the finite difference methodology to analyze velocity, temperature, nanoparticle concentration, wall shear stress, volumetric flow rate, and flow resistance. The numerical results reveal that an increase in the thermophoretic parameter improves the axial blood velocity by approximately 15–25 %, leading to a notable redistribution of nanoparticles away from the vessel wall. Similarly, elevated nanoparticle volume fraction increases the temperature profile by nearly 20 %, while simultaneously reducing flow resistance due to enhanced thermal conductivity. Wall shear stress is observed to rise with increasing stenosis severity and magnetic effects, whereas the volumetric flow rate decreases by up to 30 % under higher stenotic conditions. The graphical outcomes provide clear evidence of how stenosis and nanoparticle presence significantly modify BF characteristics, offering valuable insights for biomedical implementations like targeted drug deliveries and thermal therapy. • Investigation is carried out on electrothermal blood flow in a stenosed artery, incorporating thermophoresis effects. • Blood is modelled as Sutterby fluid with a magnetic field and external acceleration. • Thermophoretic impact on platelet and cholesterol deposition is analyzed. • Findings aid in thermal therapies and targeted drug delivery for arterial diseases. • Pathological processes and medical treatment precision understanding in diseased arteries are enhanced.