Invisible Anchors Trap Particles in Branching Junctions

Journal Article · 03 August 2018 · Physical Review Letters

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.054502 · OSTI ID:1474580

Oettinger, David ^[1]; Ault, Jesse T.  ^[2]; Stone, Howard A. ^[2]; Haller, George ^[1]

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1. ETH Zürich (Switzerland). Institute for Mechanical Systems, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering
2. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Computational Sciences and Engineering Division

Here, we combine numerical simulations and an analytic approach to show that the capture of finite, inertial particles during flow in branching junctions is due to invisible, anchor-shaped three-dimensional flow structures. These Reynolds-number-dependent anchors define trapping regions that confine particles to the junction. For a wide range of Stokes numbers, these structures occupy a large part of the flow domain. For flow in a V-shaped junction, at a critical Stokes number, we observe a topological transition due to the merger of two anchors into one. Lastly, from a stability analysis, we identify the parameter region of particle sizes and densities where capture due to anchors occurs.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF); Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE Office of Science; USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1474580
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 121; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
• Publisher: American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English