A recent approach to generate a zero divergence velocity field by operating directly on the discretized Navier-Stokes equations is used to obtain the decoupling of the pressure from the velocity field. By following the methodology suggested by Amit, Hall, and Porsching the feasibility of treating three dimensional flows and multiply connected domains is analyzed. The present model keeps the main features of the classical vector potential method in that it generates a divergence-free velocity field through an algebraic manipulation of the discrete equations.

The non-inertial flow of a shear thinning fluid between intersecting planes is studied using a multi-parameter continuation technique. Unlike the classical linearly viscous fluid, it is found that boundary layers develop even in the case of non-inertial flows in both converging and diverging flow. The boundary layers develop due to the non-linearities in the equation which reflect the fact that the fluid can shear thin. © 1991.