CTS-9908430 M.L. Hunt and C.E. Brennen, California Institute of Technology
Three fundamental aspects of liquid-saturated particle flows, with the overall purpose of improving predictability of concentrated suspensions, will be investigated. First, the particle-wall and particle-particle collisions in the presence of an interstitial viscous fluid will be experimentally studied using an immersed pendulum. The role of the impact Reynolds number, solid-fluid density ratio, and particle restitution coefficients will be evaluated. Second, particle pressure by collisions and solid velocity fluctuations in fluidized bed and gravitational flow will be measured and suitable correlations will be established. Third, the response of vibrated beds of particles in liquids as the acceleration and frequency is varied will be evaluated by using the concepts developed in the first two parts of the project. If successful, the research will lead to better understanding of dense liquid-solid particle system flows with application in particle processing industries and environment.
