THE EFFECT OF PARTICLE SHAPE ON FLUID-PARTICLE INTERACTIONS

Abstract

Few correlations exist to predict the drag on non-spherical particles, although drag on spheres has been well characterized. A problem in developing predictive equations is the lack of adequate shape descriptors, although sphericity is a good descriptor for smooth nonspherical particles, such as geometric objects. Following a review of the topic, an approach to predicting drag on smooth particles is developed by modifying the Turton-Levenspiel equation for drag on a sphere, using sphericity as the shape descriptor. An alternative approach using polygonal harmonics as shape descriptors, proved less accurate.