LBM-DEM analysis of infiltration and resuspension of dilute particle
suspensions in cavity flow
Abstract
The sedimentation of dilute particle suspensions in a channel flow into
a cavity at finite Reynolds number is analysed numerically using a
coupled lattice Boltzmann method with the discrete element method. The
effects of fluid inertia, particle density and cavity size on the trap
efficiency in the cavity are systematically investigated. The results
show that decreasing the Reynolds number, and increasing the length and
depth of the cavity all lead to an increase in the trap efficiency. A
close examination of the trajectory of particles reveals three distinct
dynamic behaviours in the cavity flow: i) resuspension, ii) circulation
in the central vortex and iii) deposition near the tailing edge of the
cavity. Three distinctive regimes were then identified using a
dimensionless trap number Tp: a resuspension regime with Tp<1,
a fully trapped regime with Tp>2.5, and a continuous
circulating regime in between.