Accelerating motion of spherical particles in power law type non-Newtonian liquids

Abstract

The equations of motion for spherical particles accelerating from rest in power law liquids have been integrated numerically. It has been assumed that the drag coefficient of the particles in transient motion follows the same functional dependence on Reynolds number as in the steady state conditions. Charts are presented which allow a priori estimation of the distance travelled to attain 99% of its terminal velocity for a given sphere-power law liquid combination. The analysis reported herein is, however, restricted to dense spheres falling in less dense liquids, and also ignores the additional effects arising from the added mass and the Basset forces.