Fully developed and transient concentration profiles of particulate suspensions sheared in a cylindrical Couette cell

Abstract

We experimentally investigate particle migration in a non-Brownian suspension sheared in a Taylor-Couette configuration and in the limit of vanishing Reynolds number. Highly resolved index-matching techniques are used to measure the local particulate volume fraction. In this wide-gap Taylor-Couette configuration, we find that for a large range of bulk volume fraction, φ b ∈ [20% − 50%], the fully developed concentration profiles are well predicted by the Suspension Balance Model of Nott & Brady (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 275, 1994, pp. 157199). Moreover, we provide systematic measurements of the migration strain scale and of the migration amplitude which highlight the limits of the suspension balance model predictions.

Shear‐induced migration and axial development of particles in channel flows of non‐Brownian suspensions

“…For more information about the details of these numerical approaches, the reader is referred to the following recent work. 10,[24][25][26][27] On the modeling front, at least two approaches have been taken to explain the shear-induced migration. The approach of Acrivos et al 8,9 is essentially phenomenological in adding a diffusive term to the right-hand side of the continuity equation for solid phase continuum.…”

“…Recent advancement of the experimental techniques allowed researchers to provide well-resolved data on the distribution of particles in different shearing flow scenarios. 10,16,20,31 Besides, new measurements of particle-phase stresses are provided to the community, for example, . [32][33][34][35] We refer the reader to the recent review by Guazzelli and Pouliquen.…”

“…8,9,30 Our recent effort in understanding the fracturing flows 5 has led us to contribute to the field. 10,[37][38][39][40][41] This paper aims to add to the existing literature by providing well-resolved experimental data on the shear-induced migration and axial development of particles in channel flows of non-Brownian suspensions. This study, along with other recent data in the field, may serve as a basis for improving and refining available model frameworks for non-Brownian suspensions.…”

“…As far as a detailed review of the SBM framework is concerned, we refer the reader to the recent literature. 5,6,10,20…”

“…Studies extend to boundary driven flows. In summary, several experimental measurements have been carried out in different configurations, such as cylindrical Couette cells, [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] pipes, [17][18][19][20] channels, 21,22 and two parallel disks. 13,15,23 By and large, the results demonstrate the migration of particles from the regions of higher shear rate to the regions of low shear rate.…”