title: Large-scale streamers in the sedimentation of a dilute fiber suspension.
abstract: We experimentally characterize structures formed during the sedimentation of rigid fibers of high aspect ratio at small Reynolds number using particle image velocimetry. Measurements show the existence of large-scale streamers during early stages of the sedimentation process, consistent with previously published theory and numerical simulations. At longer times, the cell-wide inhomogeneities evolve into smaller-scale streamers. Measurements of spatially averaged fiber velocities and velocity fluctuations are also presented.
authors.affiliation: IUSTI - CNRS UMR 6595, Polytech'Marseille, Technopôle de Château-Gombert, France.
authors.forename: Bloen
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Metzger
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Guazzelli
authors.forename: Jason E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Butler