Resolved simulation of monodisperse/polydisperse sedimentation: Influence of a single particle motion on cluster sedimentation

Direct numerical simulation of the sedimentation of mono- and poly-dispersed particle clusters have been performed. The study of cluster sedimentation and its interaction with a single-particle helps in analyzing the situation of a physical system, where the dilute and dense particle clusters interact with each other. Qualitatively, it is shown how an individual particle’s flow field affects the cluster dispersion. Quantitatively, their interactions are analyzed in terms of the standard deviation and mean of the velocities and dispersions. The interaction of a single-particle with the cluster reduces the formation of smaller sub-clusters, as the sedimentation is accompanied by horizontal displacement. The effects of polydispersity and cluster diameter on the interaction process are investigated further.