Simulation of Hindered Sedimentation of the Coarse Fraction of a Bidisperse Suspension in the Presence of Interfractional Coagulation

Abstract

The peculiarities of the sedimentation of aggregates in a bidisperse (or two-fraction) suspension have been studied. A complete set of equations for the dynamics of an aggregate and suspension in the presence of the interfractional coagulation process and the hindering effect has been given. For the marginal Stokes and Newtonian regimes (corresponding to small and large Reynolds numbers), formulas have been obtained for the stationary sedimentation rate of aggregates, and their analysis has been performed. Some results of the numerical integration of the equations of motion of large particles in a suspension are have been. It has been established that the coagulation leads to an increase in the sedimentation rate of an aggregate and, on the contrary, the hindrance contributes to a decrease in the sedimentation rate. The nonmonotonic behavior of the sedimentation rate of aggregates as a function of the volume fraction of the dispersed phase is found.