Time-dependent peristaltic analysis in a curved conduit: Application to chyme movement through intestine

•An analysis of time dependent two-dimensional peristaltic flow through a curved channel in the presence of an applied magnetic field has been presented.•The analysis provides insight into the mechanics of chime transport in the intestine and other bio-fluid flow processes driven by peristalsis.•The analysis illustrated that the transport phenomena are strongly dependent on curvature and magnetic strength.•The inherent characteristics of peristaltic flow regimes (trapping and reflux) are discussed by both Lagrangian and Eulerian approaches.•Pressure fluctuations due to an integral and a non-integral number of waves along the channel length have been presented.•Pumping efficiency of curved peristaltic pumps is analyzed. A theoretical model of time-dependent peristaltic viscous fluid flow through a curved channel in the presence of an applied magnetic field is investigated. The results for stream function, pressure distribution and mechanical efficiency are obtained under the assumptions of long wavelength and low Reynolds number approximation. Pressure fluctuations due to an integral and a non-integral number of waves along the channel length are discussed under influence of channel curvature and magnetic parameter. Two inherent characteristics of peristaltic flow regimes (trapping and reflux) are discussed numerically. The mechanical efficiency of curved magnetohydrodynamic peristaltic pumping is also examined. The magnitude of pressure increases with an increasing channel curvature and magnetic parameter. Reflex phenomenon is analyzed in the Lagrangian frame of reference. It is observed that reflex in the curved channel is higher than in the straight channel. The trapped fluid in a curved channel is studied in the Eulerian frame of reference and it contains two asymmetric boluses. The size of the lower bolus grows and the upper bolus decreases with increasing effect of magnetic strength. Pumping efficiency of the peristaltic pump is low for curved channel flow than for straight channel flow. Also, the pumping efficiency is comparatively low at the high effect of the magnetic parameter.