Abstract

We formulate a mathematical model that governs operations of many engineering systems particularly the ceiling fan to explain the fluid flow between the fixed impermeable and the porous rotating disks. The model is based on the continuity and the Navier-Stokes equations which are reduced into a set of coupled ordinary differential equations through transformation by similarity variables. The coupled ordinary differential equations are solved using perturbation techniques and the series solution obtained is improved by Paté’s approximation. Our results meet the supposition that, with laminar flow regime, suction increases with increasing speed of rotation of the rotating porous disk and these are shown on the graphical representations.

Key words: Impermeable disk, laminar flow, porous rotating disk, shear stress, Padé approximation.