Dispersion Studies of Agglomerates in Steady and Dynamic Flows of Polymeric Materials

Abstract

Abstract The hydrodynamic dispersion of spherical calcium carbonate agglomerates was studied under both steady and oscillatory shear-flow conditions. For a given intensity of steady shear flow, erosion rates were strongly influenced by the cohesive strength of the agglomerates with less cohesive, low-density agglomerates exhibiting faster erosion than high-density agglomerates. The dispersion kinetics were also affected by the extent of matrix infiltration within the agglomerate, with more infiltration resulting in reduced erosion rates. Experiments conducted in oscillatory shear flow fields provided new insights on local mechanisms of erosion.