SIMULATION OF PARTICLE SETTLING IN ROTATING AND NONROTATING FLOWS OF NON-NEWTONIAN FLUIDS

Finite element solutions are presented for the flow of Newtonian and n on-Newtonian fluids around a sphere falling along the centreline of a cylindrical tube. Both rotating and stationary tube scenarios are cons idered. Calculations are reported for three different inelastic consti tutive models that manifest shear-thinning, extension-thickening and t heir combination. The influence of inertia and these various forms of viscous response are examined for their influence upon the drag on the settling particle and the structure of the flow. Simulations are perf ormed by employing a semi-implicit time marching Taylor-Galerkin/press ure-correction finite element algorithm, a fractional-staged scheme of second-order-accuracy. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.