Experiments on the lift and drag of spheres suspended in a Poiseuille flow

Abstract

An experimental investigation of the fluid dynamic forces on spheres suspended in a Poiseuille flow was performed. Small spheres of polystyrene, nylon, and Lucite, having diameters ranging from 0.061 in. to 0.126 in. were suspended in Poiseuille flows in a 0.419 in. diameter tube. Variations in particle size and density, the fluid properties, and the angle of inclination of the tube, resulted in a sphere Reynolds number (based on particle diameter and approach velocity) ranging from 80 to 250. The results are presented as curves which include the coefficients of lift and drag, and the dimensionless rotation speed plotted versus Reynolds number and a dimensionless shear parameter.