Dynamics of inclined suspension thermals

In this paper, the applicability of the numerical model for inclined suspen sion thermals in the decelerating stage is discussed using experimental res ults. The numerical model consists of the mass conservation equations for t he fluid and solid particles, and the momentum equation. The entrainment co efficient is expressed as a linear function of the slope angle of the botto m. This model is examined based on experiments on inclined thermals using a mixture of water and solid particles. The numerical model explains well th e experimental results, such as the longitudinal variations of the height, speed, and weight of solid particles in the thermal. (C) 2000 The Japan Soc iety of Fluid Mechanics and Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.