Particle settling in a shear-thinning, viscoelastic fluid in the presence of wall effects
Abstract The settling of particles in fluids is a widespread phenomenon and commonly involves accounting for the effects of walls. Particle settling and wall effects are well understood for Newtonian fluids but the consequences of non-Newtonian fluid properties on particle settling are less well kno...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87742-w |
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| author | Jodie Whorton Thomas J. Jones James K. Russell |
| author_facet | Jodie Whorton Thomas J. Jones James K. Russell |
| author_sort | Jodie Whorton |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The settling of particles in fluids is a widespread phenomenon and commonly involves accounting for the effects of walls. Particle settling and wall effects are well understood for Newtonian fluids but the consequences of non-Newtonian fluid properties on particle settling are less well known. Here, we present the results from a set of experiments quantifying wall effects on particle settling within quiescent shear-thinning and viscoelastic (non-Newtonian) fluids for sphere-to-tube diameter ratios $$\lambda \le 0.3$$ λ ≤ 0.3 . We find that wall effects on particle settling are reduced in non-Newtonian fluids and settling velocities are poorly predicted by conventional wall-corrected Stokes’ equations. We show that deviations in settling velocity are due to both the shear-thinning and viscoelastic properties of the fluid. Supported by our experimental dataset, we are able to show that calculating the shear-rate based on the particle diameter length-scale corresponds to an apparent viscosity that appropriately accounts for shear-thinning effects. A further correction factor for viscoelastic behaviour based on $$\lambda$$ λ and the Weissenberg number, Wi, is applied, and shows good agreement with all experimentally measured velocities. Together, we provide a quantitative method to accurately predict the terminal settling velocity of particles in shear-thinning, viscoelastic fluids up to sphere-to-tube diameter ratios of 0.3. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c9b1b43306284ec9905079212379c830 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-c9b1b43306284ec9905079212379c8302025-02-09T12:36:14ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-02-0115111710.1038/s41598-025-87742-wParticle settling in a shear-thinning, viscoelastic fluid in the presence of wall effectsJodie Whorton0Thomas J. Jones1James K. Russell2Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster UniversityLancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster UniversityEarth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, The University of British ColumbiaAbstract The settling of particles in fluids is a widespread phenomenon and commonly involves accounting for the effects of walls. Particle settling and wall effects are well understood for Newtonian fluids but the consequences of non-Newtonian fluid properties on particle settling are less well known. Here, we present the results from a set of experiments quantifying wall effects on particle settling within quiescent shear-thinning and viscoelastic (non-Newtonian) fluids for sphere-to-tube diameter ratios $$\lambda \le 0.3$$ λ ≤ 0.3 . We find that wall effects on particle settling are reduced in non-Newtonian fluids and settling velocities are poorly predicted by conventional wall-corrected Stokes’ equations. We show that deviations in settling velocity are due to both the shear-thinning and viscoelastic properties of the fluid. Supported by our experimental dataset, we are able to show that calculating the shear-rate based on the particle diameter length-scale corresponds to an apparent viscosity that appropriately accounts for shear-thinning effects. A further correction factor for viscoelastic behaviour based on $$\lambda$$ λ and the Weissenberg number, Wi, is applied, and shows good agreement with all experimentally measured velocities. Together, we provide a quantitative method to accurately predict the terminal settling velocity of particles in shear-thinning, viscoelastic fluids up to sphere-to-tube diameter ratios of 0.3.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87742-w |
| spellingShingle | Jodie Whorton Thomas J. Jones James K. Russell Particle settling in a shear-thinning, viscoelastic fluid in the presence of wall effects Scientific Reports |
| title | Particle settling in a shear-thinning, viscoelastic fluid in the presence of wall effects |
| title_full | Particle settling in a shear-thinning, viscoelastic fluid in the presence of wall effects |
| title_fullStr | Particle settling in a shear-thinning, viscoelastic fluid in the presence of wall effects |
| title_full_unstemmed | Particle settling in a shear-thinning, viscoelastic fluid in the presence of wall effects |
| title_short | Particle settling in a shear-thinning, viscoelastic fluid in the presence of wall effects |
| title_sort | particle settling in a shear thinning viscoelastic fluid in the presence of wall effects |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87742-w |
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