Collective effects in settling of spheroids under steady-state sedimentation

We study the settling dynamics of non-Brownian prolate spheroids under steady-state sedimentation. We consider the case of moderate particle Reynolds numbers properly taking into account the hydrodynamic effects. For small volume fractions, we find an orientational transition of the spheroids, chara...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPhysical review letters Vol. 90; no. 9; p. 094502
Main Authors Kuusela, E, Lahtinen, J M, Ala-Nissila, T
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 07.03.2003
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Summary:We study the settling dynamics of non-Brownian prolate spheroids under steady-state sedimentation. We consider the case of moderate particle Reynolds numbers properly taking into account the hydrodynamic effects. For small volume fractions, we find an orientational transition of the spheroids, characterized by enhanced density fluctuations. Around the transition, the average settling velocity has a maximum which may even exceed the terminal velocity of a single spheroid, in accordance with experiments.
ISSN:0031-9007
DOI:10.1103/physrevlett.90.094502