Linear stability analysis of two-way coupled particle-laden density current

Abstract

Stability of two-way coupled particle-laden density current is studied with the aim of linear stability analysis. Interfacial instability can be found in density currents, which effects entrainment and the rate of effective mixing. In this paper, we investigate the density current interfacial instability using linear stability theory, considering the particles attendance. The ultimate goal is to extract the governing equation for current with particles and study the effect of different parameters on stability of such currents. Base flow has velocity and density profiles of tangent hyperbolic type. Main current and particles are studied in two separate phases. It is found that current will be more stable as M0 (M0 = S∗N∗/ρ∗ where ρ∗ is the non-dimensional flow density, S∗ is the Stokes’ drag coefficient, and N∗ is the particles’ number density) grows, this is a result of number of particles and their radius, and also viscosity effects. The current is more stable as the growth rate increases. As the Richardson number in M0 rises, the growth rate value decreases. As the slope of the river bed increases, the current is less stable.