Particle Entrainment and Deposition Scenario in Sublayer Region of Variable Area Conduit

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, 31952 Khobar, Saudi Arabia

^* Corresponding author: ejassim@pmu.edu.sa

Abstract

The study presents the particle deposition and aggregation phenomena by introducing new parameter called Particle Deposition Number PDN, defined as the ratio of the particle instantaneous velocity to its capturing value. The particle capture or rebound fate will decide from knowing such number. The study employed new scheme of particle deposition in the sublayer region which includes balancing of four forces. Moreover, the bouncing model is also considered for particle fate decision. The study examines the variation of particle velocity at varying area tube and the critical velocity in which particle will tend to stick if its velocity is lower than the threshold limit. The results show that threshold velocity is exponentially decreased with the increment in the particle size. Capturing of particles is shown to be enhanced as the conduit converges due to increasing in the PDN. The analysis of the deposition also investigates the impact of the particle size on the PDN. At low flow velocity, the NDP has V-shaped trend as particle size increases. However, veering toward constant PDN value has occurred as the flow velocity augmented. Finally, small sized particles experience rebound due to the prevailing of the particle impact energy over the adhesion energy before impacting with the surface. The dissipation in the particle energy during impaction causes large sized particle to loose greater amount of energy compare to small sized one, resulting in domination of the adhesion part, which leads to deposition on the surface.