A Proposed Solution for the Settling Velocity of Coplanar Aggregates of Identical Spheres in Creeping Motion.

• Main Author: Yuri Mendez
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Isfahan University of Technology 2015-01-01
• Series: Journal of Applied Fluid Mechanics
• Subjects: Doublet; Triplet; Settling velocity; Wall shear; Expansion; Non spherical particles; Spherical aggregates; Pressure gradient.
• Online Access: http://jafmonline.net/JournalArchive/download?file_ID=36931&issue_ID=222

This paper derives a solution for the settling velocity of isolated coplanar aggregates of n identical spherical particles in creeping motion based on the Wall Shear-Pressure Gradient-Expansion model (WPE) previously derived by the author. The solution is reached by developing geometry-equilibrium mathematical constructs to decide on the dimensions of the free ambient expansions surrounding the aggregates to compute the entire velocity profile. A rational to decide on the orientation and stability of rotation is also proposed. The results compare well with the outcome of available theory and some relevant data sets.