Project Description
Wet granular flows involve small, solid particles that are coated with thin liquid layers. They are important in coating processes (such as for controlled-release pharmaceuticals, fertilizers and candy), agglomeration processes (e.g., air filtration) and natural phenomena (e.g., avalanches and mudslides). This project studies the fundamentals of wet granular flows through simulations and experiments on collisions of two, three or more wetted particles. The simulations will employ an in-house computer code that is ready to use but may be improved by the student. The experiments will employ an air table (like used in air hockey), with wetted spheres placed on the pucks. The goal will be to determine the collision outcome, including full agglomeration, full separation and partial agglomeration/separation and how it depends on input parameters such as impact speed and angle, fluid thickness and viscosity, and particle number and mass. The findings will be applied to coating, agglomeration and filtration processes.
Special Requirements
It is strongly preferred that the student has taken at least one course in each of the following subjects: computer programming, differential calculus, fluid mechanics, and Newtonian physics. For the experimental work, the students should plan on at least two time blocks of 2.5 hours or more. The simulations can be performed in shorter time blocks.
Contact
- Robert Davis (faculty)