Settling Dynamics of Two Spheres in a Diluted Suspension of Brownian Rods
Date
2019-08-23
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Abstract
Settling dynamics of two non-Brownian rigid spheres in a dilute suspension of Brownian rods at low Reynolds number is investigated via numerical simulations in this work. Specifically this work focuses on how the overall settling dynamics is affected by the coupling between the flow field around the spheres and the orientation of the rods. The Brownian motion introduces a finite relaxation time in the suspending medium which is modeled as a continuum. When the spheres settle in a dilute suspension of Brownian rods, the spheres experience two contributions: a Newtonian and a non Newtonian contribution due to the presence of the Brownian rods. Two configurations are studied: (1) end-to-end and (2) side-by-side settling. The interactions between the two settling spheres are evaluated as a function of Péclet number (Pe) and the distance between the centers of the spheres. Repulsive or attractive interactions are found based on configuration and these interactions are affected by Pe and distance between the centers of the spheres. An analysis of the flow fields highlights the origin of these interactions in non-Newtonian elongational effects.
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Keywords
Forces, Brownian motion, Isotropy, nanorods, Peclet number (Pe)
Citation
Kumar, G. (2019). Settling Dynamics of Two Spheres in a Diluted Suspension of Brownian Rods (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.