Numerical simulation of suspension flow with deposition in porous media: the initial stages of deposition

Abstract

Flow of solid fluid suspensions with deposition in porous media occurs in many natural, industrial and biological porous systems. The purpose of the present work is to study the influence of the porosity and the geometry of the solid matrix on the characteristics of aerosol particle streams through porous structures. The flow field was obtained by numerical simulation of the Navier-Stokes equations (laminar flow) and by solving the set of Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations with the k-E model for turbulence (turbulent flow). Particle transport was described based on a force balance equation. This equation included a viscous drag force due to the motion of particles relative to the motion of the surrounding fluid, a lift force due to shear and a random force arising from Brownian collisions.