A Hydrodynamic Model of Flow in Bifurcating Streams, Part 2: Effects of Environmental Thermal Differentials

This paper presents a hydrodynamic model of flow in a bifurcating stream, in which the effects of environmental thermal differentials are investigated. The governing nonlinear and coupled equations are solved analytically using similarity transformation and perturbation series expansions methods. Solutions for the temperature, velocity and concentration are obtained and analyzed graphically. The results show that the heat exchange parameter reduces the velocity of the flow, and this enhances early deposition of the streambed loads. Furthermore, it is seen that free convection force increases the flow velocity, thus serving as a cushion for the adverse effect of heat exchange parameter on the flow.