Dispersion of Ellipsoidal Particles in an Isotropic Pseudo-Turbulent Flow Field

Abstract

Dispersion of ellipsoidal particles in a simulated isotropic pseudo-turbulent field is studied. A procedure using Euler’s four parameters in describing the particle orientations is used, and the governing equations for the translational and rotational motions of particles are outlined. Turbulence fluctuation velocity field is simulated by a Gaussian random model. Motions of ellipsoidal particles of different sizes and lengths are analyzed. Ensemble and time averagings are used for evaluating various statistics of particle motion. Effects of size, shape, and density ratio on the mean-square particle velocities and the relative particle diffusivities are studied. By applying the orientation-averaging procedure, an analytical model for estimating the mean-square particle velocities and the relative diffusivities is developed. The predictions of the approximate model are compared with the simulation results and discussed.