Hydrodynamic diffusivity of spherical particles in polymer solution

S. Kim, M. Han, C. Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this research experiments were performed to examine the hydrodynamic diffusion of spherical particles in a highly filled suspension. The suspension consisted of nearly monodisperse polymethylmethacrylate spheres in a density matched polymer solution. The polymer solution was prepared by dissolving 0-700 ppm of polyacrylamide in a mixture of ethyleneglycol and glycerine. The polymer solution did not show appreciable shear thinning. The particle loading was varied from 30 to 55%. The hydrodynamic diffusivity was estimated by measuring the time-dependent viscosity when the suspension was subjected to a circular Couette flow with an air bubble trapped under the rotor of the Couette apparatus. The results show that the dimensionless diffusivity (D/γa2) of particles in polymer solution is not proportional to shear rate (γ̇), as in the case of a Newtonian fluid, but that it decreases with increasing shear rate. The diffusivity also decreases with increasing polymer concentration. It is suggested that the elongational thickening behaviour and the increased lubrication force due to the first normal stress difference may be responsible for the reduction of diffusivity in the polymer solution.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)495-502
Number of pages8
JournalRheologica Acta
Volume39
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2000

Keywords

  • Couette flow
  • Elongational thickening
  • First normal stress difference
  • Particle-particle interaction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Chemical Engineering (miscellaneous)
  • Materials Science(all)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Hydrodynamic diffusivity of spherical particles in polymer solution'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this