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The change in settling velocity of inertial particles in cellular flow

  • C. C. Chan
  • , J. C.H. Fung

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review

Abstract

The gravitational settling of small, spherical inertial particles in a simple, two-dimensional periodic cellular flow is investigated. The effects of adding motions of many length scales and unsteadiness are considered. It is found that in a single length scale steady cellular flow, with square drag law for the equation of motion, when the still fluid settling velocity of the particle V(T) < 0.5 the average settling velocity of particles <v2> will be larger than V(T) by 120%. This occurs because the particles tend to concentrate in downward flow regions. As V(T) increases the particles are more uniformly sampling the flow field and hence this uneven distribution of particles is reduced. This uneven distribution of particles is also reduced by adding motion of many length scales and unsteadiness to the flow. In addition, it is found that particles can move in a seemingly chaotic manner without settling into a regular motion even in a steady cellular flow.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)257-273
JournalFluid Dynamics Research
Volume25
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 1999
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publication details (e.g. title, author(s), publication statuses and dates) are captured on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis at the time of record harvesting from the data source. Suggestions for further amendments or supplementary information can be sent to [email protected].

Funding

The support of the Hong Kong Research Grant Council is gratefully acknowledged.

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