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arXiv · 1712.03892

Dynamics and rheology of particles in shear-thinning fluids

Charu Datt·Gwynn J. Elfring
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Abstract

Particle motion in non-Newtonian fluids can be markedly different than in Newtonian fluids. Here we look at the change in dynamics for a few problems involving rigid spherical particles in shear-thinning fluids in the absence of inertia. We give analytical formulas for sedimenting spheres, obtained by means of the reciprocal theorem, and demonstrate quantitively differences in comparison to a Newtonian fluid. We also calculate the first correction to the suspension viscosity, the Einstein viscosity, for a dilute suspension of spheres in a weakly shear-thinning fluid.

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Charu Datt, Gwynn J. Elfring. 2017-12-11. Dynamics and rheology of particles in shear-thinning fluids. https://arxiv.org/abs/1712.03892

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