Theory on transverse migration of particles in a turbulent two-phase suspension flow due to turbulent diffusion—I

Abstract

A new theoretical model has been developed to explain the behavior of transverse particle transport in turbulent flow of a dilute two-phase suspension due to turbulent diffusion. This model is based on the ability of a particle to respond to surrounding fluid motion and depends on particle size and density relative to the carrier fluid, the fractional variation in particle concentration in the transverse direction as well as the existing turbulence structure of the surrounding fluid. The model developed in this investigation has been formulated by dividing the transverse fluid velocity, as seen by a particular particle, into two superimposed components representing, respectively, the transverse turbulent fluid fluctuations and an apparent transverse local fluid drifting velocity due to the effect on the transverse oscillatory component of fluid motion by the transverse concentration distribution of particles. A subsequent paper will show that the theory (together with other new results on the concentration effects on particle drag and lift and fluid turbulence properties) can help to explain the phenomena measured previously.