Simulation of Particle Migration in Free-Surface Flows

Abstract

The migration of particles in free surface flows using the diffusive flux model was investigated. As the free-surface flows, a planar jet flow and a slot coating flow were chosen. The suspension was assumed to be a Newtonian fluid with a particle concentration dependent viscosity. The governing equations were solved numerically by the finite volume method, and the free-surface problem was handled by the volume of the fraction model. The result shows that even though the velocity profile is fully developed and becomes flat, the particle distribution never reaches the uniform distribution for both of the cases. It is also shown that the die swell of the free jet is reduced compared to the Newtonian fluid and when the particle loading is 0.5, die contraction is observed. The change in die swell characteristics is purely due to particle migration since the suspension model does not show normal stress differences. (C) 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 56: 2539-2550, 2010