Abstract:
The 3D lattice Boltzmann method was used to simulate the particle sedimentation in a rectangular channel.The results of single particle sedimentation indicated that the last position of particle was along the center line of the channel,regardless of the initial position and the particle diameter,so as to the particle Reynolds number.The wall effect on the terminal velocity was in good agreement with experimental results quantitatively.The drafting,kissing and tumbling (DKT) process was reproduced and analyzed by simulating two particles cluster sedimentation.The diameter ratio,initial position and wall effect on the drafting,kissing and tumbling process were investigated.When two particles with equal diameter sediment in the rectangular channel,the periodical DKT process and the spiraling trajectory were found,the last equilibrium configuration was obtained from simulation results.Also,the interesting regular sedimentation phenomena were found when 49 particles fell down under the gravity.