Effects of Interstitial Fluid on Particle Segregation in Slope Flows

This project will consider the mechanics of dense particle avalanches as they propagate down an inclined slope. This is extremely important in numerous industrial processes that require the efficient transport of large numbers of discrete particles. Generally speaking, these flows are composed of particles of different sizes, densities, and shapes, and unwanted segregation is a common problem. In a wide variety of situations the drag from the interstitial fluid plays an important role in determining the overall dissipation. Typically these systems are extremely complicated, and obtaining a detailed understanding gives rise to a number of extremely challenging problems. The central theme of this project will be to study segregation in particle systems on slopes with fluid effects. The researchers will perform simulations that track the motions of individual particles and determine the forces from the interstitial fluid. They will use continuum equations developed from kinetic theory and perform a detailed comparison with the simulations. This will be extremely important in understanding the role of segregation in the overall dynamics of suspensions, especially understanding the fundamental mechanisms that underlie segregation in slope flows.