ABSTRACT

I present a particle-scale simulation method for non-Brownian suspension flows at low Reynolds number, based on the Fictitious Domain Method and supplemented by lubrication corrections. After detailing the implementation of the numerical method in OpenFOAM and the development of frame-invariant sub-grid corrections, I study the role of adhesive forces in frictional suspensions, by varying both intensity of adhesion and volume fraction. In particular, I show that the relative viscosity of the suspension is a function of both volume fraction and shear stress. Then, I investigate the shear-induced particle migration in a pressure-driven channel flow, in which the velocity profile is highly nonlinear. Finally, I compare the results to a modified version of the Suspension Balance Model.