Flow normal to a flat plate of a viscoplastic fluid with inertia effects

The two-dimensional (2-D) flow normal to a flat plate of a Bingham fluid is studied numerically. The effects of plasticity and inertia are investigated. The detailed structure of the flow is examined in relation to a large range of the Oldroyd number(0 less than or equal to Od less than or equal to 100) and of the Reynolds number (0 less than or equal to Re less than or equal to 10). The strong influence of these parameters, especially on the rigid zones and on the vortex zone, is shown. The drag coefficient is also calculated and some analytic relationships are proposed. The results are compared with the few other data available. (C) 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.