Dynamics of shear-induced migration of spherical particles in oscillatory pipe flow

Abstract

The large-amplitude oscillatory flow of a suspension of spherical particles in a pipe is studied at low Reynolds number. Particle volume fraction and velocity are examined through refractive index matching techniques. The particles migrate toward the centre of the pipe, i.e. toward regions of lower shear rate, for bulk volume fractions larger than 10 %. Steady results are in agreement with available experimental results and discrete-particle simulations for similar geometries. The dynamics of the shear-induced migration process are analysed and compared against the predictions of the suspension balance model using realistic rheological laws.