Particle sieving in a random fiber network

An idealized fiber network model is developed to study particle sieving by percolation. The model is based on a Poisson line field in two dimensions, whereby the fibers are modeled as infinite length strips of finite width, w hile particles are modeled as circular disks. The probabilistic sieving pro blem is equivalent to percolation of disks through convex polygons of the P oisson line field. The area-based probability of retention (equivalently, p ercolation) is described by an equation which depends on a single non-dimen sional number that is proportional to the number of fiber per unit area and the particle size. The physical meaning and the applicable range of this n umber are discussed. Finally, using a Monte Carlo simulation, the model is generalized to anisotropic Poisson line fields. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science I nc. All rights reserved.