Sedimentation, Péclet number, and hydrodynamic screening.
The sedimentation of hard spheres in a Newtonian solvent is studied as a function of Péclet number in the low-concentration limit. Two functional forms for the sedimentation velocity as a function of particle concentration are realized in the limit of high and low Péclet numbers. We argue that a more ordered phase occurs for large Péclet numbers. Measurements of settling in sheared suspensions support these contentions. Recent explanations of sedimentation in suspensions are examined in light of these results.
Benes
Kiley
K
Department of Physics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, USA.
Tong
Penger
P
Ackerson
Bruce J
BJ