THE MEASUREMENT OF THE FLOW AROUND A SPHERE SETTLING IN A RECTANGULAR BOX USING 3-DIMENSIONAL PARTICLE IMAGE VELOCIMETRY

Abstract

A novel three-dimensional particle image velocimetry technique is used to measure the planar three-dimensional flow field about the centreline of a sphere sedimenting in a rectangular shaped box. Measurements are made in the center of the container and also one diameter from a plane wall. Results are presented for a sphere falling in both a constant viscosity elastic (Boger) fluid and a shear-thinning elastic liquid. In the center of the box, the flow field is essentially two-dimensional as expected. Near the wall, there is substantial out-of-plane motion in the shear-thinning solution due to the presence of the wall. Surprisingly, there is little out-of-plane motion for a sphere sedimenting near the wall in the Boger fluid. There are significant qualitative differences in the flow field for the sphere sedimenting in the shear-thinning and constant viscosity elastic liquids. The results are compared with previously published work for a sphere settling in a non-Newtonian fluid and also with results obtained in an identical geometry for a Newtonian fluid. Reasons for the differences in the velocity maps are discussed. The drag coefficient for each geometry and fluid is calculated.