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Movement of a Spherical Brownian Particle Between Infinite Parallel Plates: Hindered Dispersion and Sedimentation

Citation

Heil, Ann Terese (1988) Movement of a Spherical Brownian Particle Between Infinite Parallel Plates: Hindered Dispersion and Sedimentation. Master's thesis, California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/gypy-h364. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:03192013-151818424

Abstract

The dispersion of an isolated, spherical, Brownian particle immersed in a Newtonian fluid between infinite parallel plates is investigated. Expressions are developed for both a 'molecular' contribution to dispersion, which arises from random thermal fluctuations, and a 'convective' contribution, arising when a shear flow is applied between the plates. These expressions are evaluated numerically for all sizes of the particle relative to the bounding plates, and the method of matched asymptotic expansions is used to develop analytical expressions for the dispersion coefficients as a function of particle size to plate spacing ratio for small values of this parameter.

It is shown that both the molecular and convective dispersion coefficients decrease as the size of the particle relative to the bounding plates increase. When the particle is small compared to the plate spacing, the coefficients decrease roughly proportional to the particle size to plate spacing ratio. When the particle closely fills the space between the plates, the molecular dispersion coefficient approaches zero slowly as an inverse logarithmic function of the particle size to plate spacing ratio, and the convective dispersion coefficent approaches zero approximately proportional to the width of the gap between the edges of the sphere and the bounding plates.

Item Type:Thesis (Master's thesis)
Subject Keywords:Chemistry
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Major Option:Chemical Engineering
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Brady, John F.
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:27 May 1988
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:03192013-151818424
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:03192013-151818424
DOI:10.7907/gypy-h364
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:7529
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By:INVALID USER
Deposited On:19 Mar 2013 22:36
Last Modified:09 Nov 2022 19:20

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