Drag on non-spherical particles in non-Newtonian fluids

Abstract

Extensive experimental results on the free fall of a range of non-spherical particles such as square bars, cylinders, spheres and crushed rock chips in Newtonian, inelastic, viscoelastic and Boger fluids are presented. It is demonstrated that the use of a volume equivalent sphere diameter in addition to a shape factor provides an adequate approximation for the non-sphericity of particles used in this study. The applicability of two rheological models, namely, the power-law and the Carreau viscosity model has been examined in representing the drag coefficient results. Appropriate predictive expressions of the drag coefficient as a function of the particle Reynolds number and the Deborah number, encompassing wide ranges of rheological and kinematic conditions, are presented.