Inertial focusing of elliptical particles and formation of self-organizing trains in a channel flow

Abstract

The inertial focusing of elliptical particles and the formation of self-organizing trains in a channel flow are studied by using the lattice Boltzmann method. The effects of particle aspect ratio (α), particle concentration (Φ), Reynolds number (Re), and blockage ratio (k) on self-organizing single-line and staggered particle trains are explored. The results show that a single-line particle train is dynamically formed mainly due to the inclination of height (IH) for the particles in the train. The elliptical particle with large α, Φ, Re, and small k facilitates self-organizing of the particle train with relatively stable spacing for a long travel distance. With increasing α, Φ, Re, and k, the value of IH increases and the interparticle spacing decreases. Four kinds of stability conditions for a self-organizing staggered particle train exist depending on Re, k, and α. The threshold Re to form the stable staggered particle train increases with increasing k and is insensitive to α. As Re increases, the spacing of the staggered particle train for the particles with low k and large α is more likely to fluctuate within a certain range. The staggered particle train can be dynamically formed when Re is larger than a critical value. This critical value of Re increases with increasing k and decreasing α. The interparticle spacing of the formed staggered particle train, which is insensitive to Φ, increases with increasing Re and α and decreasing k.