Self-Similarity in Particle-Laden Flows at Constant Volume

Authors

Natalie Grunewald, Universitat Bonn
Rachel Levy, Harvey Mudd CollegeFollow
Matthew Mata, University of California - Los Angeles
Thomas Ward, North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Andrea L. Bertozzi, University of California - Los Angeles

Document Type

Article

Department

Mathematics (HMC)

Publication Date

3-2010

Abstract

This paper deals with the evolution of a localized, constant-volume initial condition on an incline into a spreading descending thin-film solution. Clear fluids in this geometry are known to have a front position that moves according to a t^1/3 scaling law, based on similarity-solution analysis by Huppert (Nature 300:427–429, 1982). The same dynamics are investigated for particle-laden flow using a recently proposed lubrication model and physical experiments. The analysis includes the role of a precursor in the model. In the lubrication model, the height of the precursor significantly influences the position of the fluid front, independent of particles settling in the direction of flow. By comparing theory with experiments it is shown that the t^1/3 scaling law persists, to leading order, for particle-laden flows with particle settling. However, additional physics is needed in the existing lubrication models to quantitatively explain departures from clear-fluid self-similarity due to particle settling.

Rights Information

© 2010 Springer

Terms of Use & License Information

Terms of Use for work posted in Scholarship@Claremont.

DOI

10.1007/s10665-009-9345-4

Recommended Citation

Grunewald, N, Levy, R, Mata, M, Ward, T, Bertozzi, AL. Self-similarity in particle-laden flows at constant volume. J Eng Math. 2010;66(1-3): 53-63.